Cellular Microbiology | 2021
Inflammasome activation and IL‐1β signalling in group A Streptococcus disease
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram‐positive bacterial pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent clinical evidence suggests that the inflammatory marker interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) plays an important role in GAS disease progression, and presents a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Interaction with GAS activates the host inflammasome pathway to stimulate production and secretion of IL‐1β, but GAS can also stimulate IL‐1β production in an inflammasome‐independent manner. This review highlights progress that has been made in understanding the importance of host cell inflammasomes and IL‐1 signalling in GAS disease, and explores challenges and unsolved problems in this host‐pathogen interaction.