title: Inflammasomes and their activation.
abstract: The innate immune system relies on the recognition of pathogens by pattern recognition receptors as a first line of defense and to initiate the adaptive immune response. Substantial progress has been made in defining the role of Nod (nucleotide-binding oligimerization domain)-like receptors and AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2) as pattern recognition receptors that activate inflammasomes in macrophages. Inflammasomes are protein platforms essential for the activation of inflammatory caspases and subsequent maturation of their pro-inflammatory cytokine substrates and induction of pyroptosis. This paper summarizes recent developments regarding the function of Nod-like receptors in immunity and disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Sonal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khare
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luc
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorfleutner
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stehlik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D053472:Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D053472:Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins