The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that mediates the activation of caspase-1, which promotes secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, as well as pyroptosis, a form of cell death induced by bacterial pathogens. Members of the NLR family, including NLRP1, NLRP3 and NLRC4, and the adaptor ASC are critical components of the inflammasome that link microbial and endogenous danger signals to caspase-1 activation.