2 In addition to its function in inflammation, caspase-1 has a role in programmed cell death in myeloid cells, lymphocytes as well as in the heart and brain.3, 4 Whereas Casp1−/− mice have no developmental programmed cell death defects, they are protected against ischemic brain injury and heart failure.3, 4 In both neurons and cardiomyocytes, a direct role for caspase-1 in promoting cell death in the absence of inflammation has been demonstrated using in vitro cell cultures and in vivo models. The gene discussed is CASP1; the disease is heart failure.