Unraveling the NALP-3/IL-1beta inflammasome: a big lesson from a small mutation.

Cytokine-mediated inflammation is a target for novel therapies as well as for fundamental research. A single amino acid mutation in the NALP-3 gene controlling the activation of caspase-1 results in increased processing of the inactive IL-1beta precursor and release of the active cytokine. Blocking IL-1 receptors arrests inflammation in humans with the mutation.