Components of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, including NALP3 (NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3), encoded by the Nlrp3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) gene, PYCARD (pyrin domain caspase recruitment domain (CARD); also known as apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC)), and caspase-1 (Casp1), were initially recognized to play a role in inflammation and apoptosis in response to microbial infection [20], and may contribute to the development of fibrosis after asbestos exposure [21, 22]. Here, CASP1 is linked to fibrosis.