Caspase-5
Caspase-5 is a human inflammatory caspase whose expression is largely restricted to cells of the myeloid lineage, most notably monocytes and macrophages. Functionally it partners with Caspase-4 in the noncanonical inflammasome response, forming mixed oligomers that bind intracellular lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria and subsequently cleave gasdermin D to induce pyroptosis. Gene duplication in the mammalian lineage separated Caspase-5 from the single murine ortholog Caspase-11, and in mice the corresponding inflammatory functions are carried by Caspase-11 alone. Because CASP5 polymorphisms have been examined in inflammatory bowel disease and septic shock studies, the protease is considered relevant to innate immune signaling and anti-inflammatory drug discovery.
