#pyroptosis

#pyroptosis

The human protease caspase-4 and its mouse orthologue caspase-11 defend against gram-negative bacteria3,4. Activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the cytoplasm5,6,7, caspase-4 and caspase-11 cleave and activate the pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) to cause a lytic form of cell death called pyroptosis8,9. Eliminating infected cells in this manner denies microorganisms their replicative niche. Other bacterial components, including toxins and DNA, are sensed by intracellular inflammasome complexes that activate caspase-1, which also induces pyroptosis by cleaving GSDMD1.