Progress in research on interactions between pathogens and inflammasomes

Abstract:

Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes located in the cytosol and activate caspase-1. Subsequently, inflammasomes induce maturation and secretion of series of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis. Inflammasome activation plays a critical role in host innate immune responses against infectious pathogens. Inflammasomes can protect host against most pathogens. However, the protection role of inflammasome seems sometimes less obvious, or it shows detrimental to the host and facilitates the pathogens. Pathogens evolved evasion strategies against inflammasomes under selective pressure, and could weaken or inactivate the functions of inflammasomes. In this review, we summarize the progress in research on the active role of inflammasomes in host immune response against pathogens and the inflammasome-evasion strategies of pathogens.