Structures and functions of the inflammasome engine

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Jun;147(6):2021-2029. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.04.018.

Abstract

Inflammasomes are molecular machines that carry out inflammatory responses on challenges by pathogens and endogenous dangers. Dysregulation of inflammasome assembly and regulation is associated with numerous human diseases from autoimmunity to cancer. In recent years, significant advances have been made in understanding the mechanism of inflammasome signaling using structural approaches. Here, we review inflammasomes formed by the NLRP1, NLRP3, and NLRC4 sensors, which are well characterized structurally, and discuss the structural and functional diversity among them.

Keywords: IL-1; Inflammasome; NLRC4; NLRP1; NLRP3; caspase-1; pyroptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / metabolism
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism*
  • Inflammasomes / ultrastructure*
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • NLR Proteins / metabolism
  • Pyroptosis
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLR Proteins
  • NLRC4 protein, human
  • NLRP1 protein, human