Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD forms specks but does not activate caspase-1 in the absence of NLRP3 during macrophage swelling.

ABSTRACT: Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC) is a key adaptor molecule required for the inflammatory processes. ASC acts by bridging NLRP proteins, such as NLRP3, with procaspase-1 within the inflammasome complex, which subsequently results in the activation of caspase-1 and the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. In response to bacterial infection, ASC also forms specks by self-oligomerization to activate caspase-1 and induce pyroptosis. Hitherto, the role of these specks in NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to danger signals, such as a hypotonic environment, largely has been unexplored. In this article, we report that, under hypotonic conditions and independently of NLRP3, ASC was able to form specks that did not activate caspase-1. T

SUBMITTER: Compan V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4883655 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature