Caspases control antiviral innate immunity

Cell Mol Immunol. 2017 Sep;14(9):736-747. doi: 10.1038/cmi.2017.44. Epub 2017 Jul 10.

Abstract

Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases whose functions have been scrutinized intensively in recent years. Beyond their established roles in programmed cell death and inflammatory response, some caspases are also fundamental players in antiviral immunity by fine-tuning the levels of antiviral signaling adapters and cytokines, such as type I interferons, which serves as a major, sophisticated weapon against viruses. Viral infections can result in inflammasome activation and the initiation of cell death, including apoptosis and pyroptosis, and multiple caspases are significantly involved in these processes. This review will focus on the cutting-edge discoveries regarding the multifaceted roles of caspases in antiviral innate immunity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Caspases / classification
  • Caspases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virus Diseases / immunology*

Substances

  • Inflammasomes
  • Caspases