Inflammasome activation and inhibition in primary murine bone marrow-derived cells, and assays for IL-1α, IL-1β, and caspase-1.

Through its ability to control the proteolytic maturation and secretion of interleukin-1 family cytokines, the inflammasome occupies a central role in the activation of inflammation and also influences the shaping of adaptive immunity. Since it affects a multitude of different immune responses from autoinflammatory diseases to host defense, vaccine efficacy, and even cancer, it has become of interest to many researchers. Here, we describe a straightforward method for inflammasome assays in primary murine bone marrow--derived myeloid cells. The protocol encompasses cell handling, inflammasome activation and inhibition, as well as the detection of IL-1β, caspase-1, and IL-1α by ELISA and Western blot.