CASP1 and infection: Coining the term pyroptosis coincided with the molecular characterization of the inflammasome — a platform for the activation of caspase-1.18 Inflammasomes are signaling complexes that are assembled by cytosolic PRRs in response to infection, injury, or noxious substances.6 ‘Canonical’ inflammasomes activate caspase-1 and are assembled by the proteins Pyrin, AIM2, CARD8, and multiple members of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, which directly or indirectly detect pathogen-derived signals (pathogen-associated molecular patterns, PAMPs) or endogenous danger signals (DAMPs).