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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
Published on: May 21, 2018
Is the inflammasome relevant for epithelial cell function?
Patricia T Santana1, Jan Martel2, Hsin-Chih Lai3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA, USA; Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
Inflammasomes are intracellular protein complexes that sense microbial components and damage of infected cells. Following activation by molecules released by pathogens or injured cells, inflammasomes activate caspase-1, allowing secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 from innate immune cells. Inflammasomes are also expressed in epithelial cells, where their function has attracted less attention. Nonetheless, depending on the tissue, epithelial inflammasomes can mediate inflammation, wound healing, and pain sensitivity. We review here recent findings on inflammasomes found in epithelial tissues, highlighting the importance of these protein complexes in the response of epithelial tissues to microbial infections.
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