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Updated: May 11, 2026
Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
Published on: May 21, 2018
Of inflammasomes and pathogens--sensing of microbes by the inflammasome
Franz Bauernfeind1, Veit Hornung
1Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Unit for Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Germany.
Abstract:
Inflammasomes are signalling platforms that sense a diverse range of microbial products and also a number of stress and damage associated endogenous signals. Inflammasome complexes can be formed by members of the Nod-like receptor family or the PYHIN family member AIM2. Upon formation, inflammasomes trigger proteolysis of caspase-1, which subsequently leads to a potent inflammatory response through the maturation and secretion of IL-1 family cytokines, which can be accompanied by an inflammatory cell death termed pyroptosis. Here, we review the sensing mechanisms of the currently characterized inflammasome complexes and discuss how they are involved in the innate immune response against microbial pathogens. We especially highlight recent advances in the molecular understanding of how microbial patterns are detected and discriminated from endogenous compounds by inflammasome sensors. Further, we review how inflammasomes contribute to the anti microbial host defense by cytokine-dependent and cell autonomous mechanisms.
Insights
Inflammasomes, crucial innate immune sensors, detect microbial and damage signals. This review details their sensing mechanisms and role in anti-microbial defense via cytokine release and pyroptosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that orchestrate innate immunity.
- They recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).
- Key components include Nod-like receptors (NLRs) and AIM2, initiating inflammatory signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review inflammasome sensing mechanisms.
- To discuss their role in innate immune response against microbial pathogens.
- To highlight advances in distinguishing microbial from endogenous signals.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of inflammasome research.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms of inflammasome activation.
- Discussion of cytokine-dependent and cell-autonomous defense pathways.
Main Results:
- Inflammasomes utilize diverse sensors (NLRs, AIM2) to detect microbial and endogenous signals.
- Activation leads to caspase-1 cleavage, IL-1 cytokine maturation, and pyroptosis.
- Recent advances clarify pattern recognition and discrimination.
Conclusions:
- Inflammasomes are central to innate immunity against pathogens.
- Understanding their sensing mechanisms is key to host defense.
- They employ both cytokine secretion and cell-autonomous functions for microbial control.
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