Caspase mechanisms in the regulation of inflammation

Regulated cell death is defined as genetically encoded pathways that lead towards the demise of cells. In mammals, cell demise can be either inflammatory or non-inflammatory, depending on whether the mechanism of death results in cell rupture or not. Inflammatory cell death can lead towards acute and chronic disease. Therefore, it becomes important to distinguish the mechanisms that result in these different inflammatory cell death outcomes. Apoptosis is a non-inflammatory form of cell death where cells resist rupture. In contrast, pyroptosis and necroptosis are inflammatory forms of cell death principally because of release of pro inflammatory mediators from cells undergoing lysis. This review focusses on the mechanisms of these different cell death outcomes with specific emphasis on the caspase family of proteolytic enzymes.

Automated summary

Regulated cell death refers to genetically encoded pathways that lead to cell demise, which can be either inflammatory or non-inflammatory in mammals. Understanding the mechanisms behind different inflammatory cell death outcomes is important for preventing acute and chronic diseases. Apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis are different forms of cell death, with apoptosis being non-inflammatory and pyroptosis and necroptosis being inflammatory due to the release of pro-inflammatory mediators.