Inflammasome
Inflammasome
Inflammasome (pronunciation: /ɪnˈflæməˌsoʊm/) is a multiprotein oligomer responsible for the activation of inflammatory responses. The term is derived from the words "inflammation" and "some" (body), indicating its role in the immune response.
Etymology
The term "inflammasome" was first coined in 2002 by Dr. Jürg Tschopp and his team. It is a combination of "inflammation", which is derived from the Latin word "inflammare" meaning "to set on fire", and "some", a common suffix in biology that denotes a "body" or "group". Thus, "inflammasome" refers to a group of proteins involved in initiating an inflammatory response.
Function
The primary function of the inflammasome is to respond to cellular stress signals by activating a type of inflammatory response known as pyroptosis. This is a form of programmed cell death that is distinct from apoptosis. The inflammasome achieves this by activating a protein called caspase-1, which in turn cleaves the precursors of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-18, enabling their secretion.
Types
There are several types of inflammasomes, each named after the NOD-like receptor (NLR) or AIM2-like receptor (ALR) that they contain. These include the NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasomes. Each type of inflammasome responds to different types of cellular stress signals and activates different inflammatory responses.
Clinical Significance
Dysregulation of inflammasome activity has been implicated in a number of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. As such, inflammasomes are a major focus of research in the field of immunology and are being explored as potential therapeutic targets.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Inflammasome
- Wikipedia's article - Inflammasome
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