In models of lung infection, avian influenzae H5N1 and H7N9, which contain a PB1–F2 protein, persistently activate NLRP3, resulting in persistently elevated levels of IL-18, inducing IFN-gamma, and a subsequent cytokine storm [26, 27] in a manner reminiscent to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) [28]. Here, NLRP3 is linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome.