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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
Published on: May 21, 2018
Sunburned skin activates inflammasomes
Benjamin Faustin1, John C Reed
1Burnham Institute for Medical Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Abstract:
Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation injures the epidermis, resulting in sunburn and inflammation. UV-irradiated keratinocytes secrete interleukin-1beta through a caspase-1-dependent mechanism. In seeking a link between UV-irradiation and caspase-1 activation, a prominent role for the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family of innate immunity proteins was discovered recently. NLRs activate caspases through the assembly of macromolecular complexes called 'inflammasomes.' Although the mechanism by which UV-irradiation activates inflammasomes remains obscure, these recent findings shed light on NLRs as intermediaries between cell injury and inflammation.
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