Induced by toxins, or pathogen infections (e.g., viruses and bacteria), pyroptosis activation may initiate in the LPS-dependent activation of caspase-4, -5, and -11, or through the formation of the inflammasome, involving NLRs, NLRC4 (NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4) or AIM2 (interferon-inducible protein AIM2), ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), and pro-caspase 1, leading to caspase 1 activation. The gene discussed is AIM2; the disease is infection.