Figure 1
Inflammasome pathway and inhibitors. The action of LPS on TLR4 induces the translocation of NFκB to the nucleus and triggers the transcription of pro-IL-1β and NLRP3. A second signal (e.g. ATP acting at P2X7), causes NLRP3, ASC and pro-caspase-1 to oligomerize and form an inflammasome speck, which permits the recruitment and activation of caspase-1 and the subsequent cleavage of pro-IL-1β into its active form which is then released. The inhibitors were added directly before the second signal, and were characterised as P2X7 receptor inhibitors, a caspase-1 inhibitor, or the NLRP3 inhibiting diarylsulfonylurea and NBC series inhibitors. The outline of the cell is courtesy of Servier Medical Art.
