CASP8 and rheumatoid arthritis: NLRP3 is a component of the inflammasome involving caspase-1 or caspase-8, which cleave pro-IL-1β to the functional form, IL-1β.47 Notably, TNF and IL-1β expression from macrophages have been implicated in cartilage and collagen destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.48,49 To evaluate the inflammatory state in joint-associated tissues during the chronic stage with greater resolution, we analyzed cells present in joint-associated tissue using scRNA-seq.