Abstract
The innate immune response represents the first line of host defense, and it is able to detect pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs and DAMPs, respectively) through a variety of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Among thesePRRs, certain cytosolic receptors of the NLRs family (specificallyNLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, and NAIP) or thosecontaining at least a pyrin domain (PYD) such as pyrin and AIM2, activate the multimeric complex known asinflammasome, and its effector enzyme caspase-1. The caspase-1 induces the proteolytic maturation of thepro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18, as well as the pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD). GSDMD isresponsible for the release of the two cytokines and theinduction of lytic and inflammatory cell deathknown as pyroptosis. Each inflammasome receptor detects specific stimuli, either directly or indirectly, thereby enhancingthe cell's ability to sense infections or homeostatic disturbances. In this chapter,we present the activation mechanism of the so-called "canonical" inflammasomes.
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