Tracking DNA sensor and inflammasome complexes in cells using confocal microscopy

The innate immune system provides host defense against a variety of threats, including microbial infection and cellular damage. Pattern recognition receptors identify both pathogen and damage associated molecular motifs associated with these events. Nucleic acid is one such danger signal that is detected by a set of cytoplasmic sensors. Oligomerization is a key mode of activation shared by many of these sensors, who form large multimeric structures when activated. Microscopy is one of several techniques that facilitates study of these molecules, permitting visualization of oligomeric forms, and tracking of relevant signaling partners. In this chapter, we will discuss methods of generating and imaging cytoplasmic DNA sensors and inflammasome complexes by fluorescence microscopy.