Figure 5.

H₂S production during sepsis and its impact on inflammasomes.

Notes: H₂S is produced by the enzymatic action of CSE, CBS, CAT, and MST on the amino acids l-cysteine and homocysteine (for details, see wang²⁷¹) At a lower level, H₂S inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 via inhibiting the generation of mtROS and CHOP activity required for the activation of CASP1 and CASP11. However, at its higher levels observed during severe sepsis or septic shock, H₂S exerts proinflammatory action via enhancing the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 through activating the CASP1, AIM2, and NLRP1b inflammasomes.

Abbreviation: mtROS, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.