Figure 1.

Diagram illustrating the different signalling pathways of IL-1β induction in macrophages. The transcription, translation and processing of IL-1β is a highly regulated process comprising of three major steps: i) synthesis of pro-IL-1β regulated by pattern recognition receptors like TLRs, ii) cleavage of pro-IL-1β by caspase-1 resulting in the mature form of IL-1β and iii) release of mature IL-1β into the external environment. Activation of the inflammasome by secondary signals in the form of microbial ligands, Nigericin, ATP and other danger signals (e.g. silica, uric acid crystals) induces activation of caspase-1.