55 Therefore, to investigate whether β2 integrin is necessary for inflammasome activation during infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans, we focused on β2 integrin in macrophage-1 antigen (MAC-1, CR3, integrin αMβ2) and it can also serve as a receptor for diverse microbial ligands.56,57 The caspase-1 activation, IL-1β and IL-6 release were reduced in BMDMs administered an antibody against CD11b, but not control IgG or an inhibitory antibody against CD18 during infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC29522 (Fig. 6a–c). This evidence concerns the gene ITGAM and infection.