Figure 2.
Mechanisms of inflammasome activation. Three different NLRs regulate the inflammasome. The NLRC4 inflammasome is triggered by microbial components secreted by bacterial secretion systems. The NLRP1/NALP1 inflammasome is associated with susceptibility to the Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin. Microbial toxins and danger signals trigger the NLRP3/NALP3 inflammasome. Crystals cause lysosome damage and protein leakage to the cytosol. Response to the NLRP3/NALP3 inflammasome triggers reactive oxygen species and potassium efflux although it is not clear how the signaling cascade operates.