GSDMD and infection: In the innate immune system, AMs serve as the earliest replicative ecological niche for Mtb, and upon infection by Mtb, ESAT-6 secretion system 1 (ESX-1) induces inflammasome activation and, subsequently, the formation of caspase-1 can cleave gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pores and the release of IL-1β.