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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2020 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Immunol. 2019 Dec 1;203(11):2757–2769. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900901

Figure 2. The NLRP3 inflammasome in preterm labor and birth.

Figure 2.

Bacteria (e.g. genital mycoplasmas) or alarmins (e.g. HMGB1, S100B, or IL-1α) can activate the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in the chorioamniotic membranes, which results in the release of active caspase-1 and mature forms of IL-1β and IL-18 into the amniotic fluid. Gram-negative bacteria may also activate the non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Detection of extracellular ASC and gasdermin D in the chorioamnioitic membranes and amniotic fluid have also been reported as readouts of inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, respectively.