CASP1 and COVID-19: Accordingly, the expression of the inflammasome components such as NLRP3, ASC, and caspase 1 was also overexpressed in COVID-19/B.1 patients and overexpressed in COVID-19/B.1.1.7 variant (Figure 1; p < 0.01 vs. COVID-19/B.1 patients) suggesting a more robust activation of inflammasome in airways from patients with COVID-19/B.1.1.7 variant.