Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
Published on: May 21, 2018
CARD8 Inflammasome Activation by HIV-1 Protease
Kolin M Clark1, Qiankun Wang1, Liang Shan2,3
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
Abstract:
The pattern recognition receptor CARD8 is an inflammasome sensor for intracellular HIV-1 protease activity. Previously, the only method for studying the CARD8 inflammasome has been through utilizing DPP8/DPP9 inhibitors including Val-boroPro (VbP) to modestly and nonspecifically activate the CARD8 inflammasome. The identification of HIV-1 protease as a target for sensing by CARD8 has opened the door for a new method of studying the underlying mechanism of CARD8 inflammasome activation. Additionally, triggering the CARD8 inflammasome offers a promising strategy for reducing HIV-1 latent reservoirs. Here we describe the methods to study CARD8 sensing of HIV-1 protease activity through non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-mediated pyroptosis of HIV-1-infected immune cells and through an HIV and CARD8 co-transfection model.
Related Concept Videos
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Caspases
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...

