Skip to main content
. 2023 Aug 23;55(8):1632–1643. doi: 10.1038/s12276-023-01069-y

Fig. 2. Inflammasome activation and pyroptosis.

Fig. 2

Certain pathogens, PAMPs, and DAMPs are sensed by specific sensors to assemble an inflammasome consisting of a sensor, ASC, and caspase-1. Active caspase-1 cleaves pro-IL-18 and pro-IL-1β into their mature forms. Active caspase-1, caspase-11, and caspase-8 cleave GSDMD to free the N-terminal region, which undergoes oligomerization to form pores in the plasma membrane. Active caspase-8 also cleaves GSDME and GSDMC. Pore formation in the plasma membrane by GSDMs causes cell lysis and release of intracellular contents and the inflammatory cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β following their maturation by caspase-1.