Programmed cell death

Cell biology

Biology

Pyroptosis

Apoptosis

Proteases

Granzyme

Biochemistry

Caspase 1

Inflammasome

Secretion

Immunology

Caspase

Physics

Immune system

Optics

Inflammation

Enzyme

Effector

Crosstalk

Perforin

Immunity

Caspases are an evolutionary conserved family of cysteine proteases that are centrally involved in cell death and inflammation responses. A wealth of foundational insight into the molecular mechanisms that control caspase activation has emerged in recent years. Important advancements include the identification of additional inflammasome platforms and pathways that regulate activation of inflammatory caspases; the discovery of gasdermin D as the effector of pyroptosis and interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18 secretion; and the existence of substantial crosstalk between inflammatory and apoptotic initiator caspases. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating caspase activation has supported initial efforts to modulate dysfunctional cell death and inflammation pathways in a suite of communicable, inflammatory, malignant, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review current understanding of caspase biology with a prime focus on the inflammatory caspases and outline important topics for future experimentation.

Caspases in Cell Death, Inflammation, and Disease