NLRP3 and avian influenza: These studies further enhance viral aggregates as immune agonist of the NLRP3 inflammasome, highlighting that viral aggregate proteins may constitute a new family of pathogen-associated molecular patterns that play a significant role in the host response to infection, but alternatively, may contribute to the hyperinflammatory pathophysiology associated with diseases such as avian influenza, SARS CoV and Hendra virus.