title: The inflammasome in myocardial injury and cardiac remodeling.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  An inflammatory response follows an injury of any nature, and while such a response is an attempt to promote healing, it may, itself, result in further injury.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The inflammasome is a macromolecular structure recently recognized as a central mediator in the acute inflammatory response. The inflammasome senses the injury and it amplifies the response by leading to the release of powerful pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The activation of the inflammasome in the heart during ischemic and nonischemic injury represents an exaggerated response to sterile injury and promotes adverse cardiac remodeling and failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pilot clinical trials have explored blockade of the inflammasome-derived IL-1β and have shown beneficial effects on cardiac function. Additional clinical studies testing this approach are warranted. Moreover, specific inflammasome inhibitors that are ready for clinical use are currently lacking.
authors.affiliation: 1 VCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toldo
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mezzaroma
authors.forename: Adolfo Gabriele
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salloum
authors.forename: Benjamin Wallace
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Van Tassell
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbate
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D058847:Inflammasomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D058847:Inflammasomes