Caspase-1
Effector protease of the inflammasome; cleaves pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18
- Expression
- Upregulated
- Evidence level
- strong
Role in pathogenesis
Caspase-1 is the key enzymatic effector of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex. Its upregulated activity in AOSD leads to proteolytic processing of pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 into their bioactive forms, initiating the cytokine storm. Caspase-1 activity is significantly elevated in AOSD PBMCs.