ASC, Ipaf and Cryopyrin/Nalp3: bona fide intracellular adapters of the caspase-1 inflammasome

The adapter molecules ASC, lpaf and Cryopyrin/Nalp3 have each been proposed to regulate caspase-1 within a multi-protein complex called the inflammasome. Activation of caspase-1 leads to the cleavage and activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-18. The analysis of mice deficient in ASC, lpaf and Cryopyrin/Nalp3 has revealed that the inflammasome is a dynamic entity that is assembled from different adapters in a stimulus-dependent manner. (c) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.