[Inflammasome--essential regulator of the inflammatory reaction]. / Inflammasomi--tulehdusreaktion keskeinen säätelijä.

The function of inflammasome in the cell is to sense intracellular danger signals and--perhaps as the last cry of distress of a cell invaded by a microorganism--at an emergency situation to release interleukins (IL) outside of the cell, causing an inflammatory reaction and fever and also leads to an elevation of CRP. In a hopeless situation inflammasome-regulated pyroptosis is started. Disturbed action of inflammasomes has been linked to the pathogenesis of various disorders such as gout, atherosclerosis, asbestosis and type 2 diabetes. As the pathogenetic mechanisms of such diseases become clear, improved treatments for them may also become available.