The concept of the inflammasome, a macromolecular complex sensing cell stress or danger
signals and initiating inflammation, was first introduced approximately a decade ago …

Exposure to particulate silica (most crystalline polymorphs) causes a persistent inflammation
sustained by the release of oxidants in the alveolar space. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) …

Inhalation of crystalline silica and asbestos is known to cause the progressive pulmonary
fibrotic disorders silicosis and asbestosis, respectively. Although alveolar macrophages are …

Silicosis caused by inhalation of silica particles leads to more than ten thousand new
occupational exposure-related deaths yearly. Exacerbating this issue, there are currently …

Occupational exposure to silica dust has been examined as a possible risk factor with
respect to several systemic autoimmune diseases, including scleroderma, rheumatoid …

Nanomaterials are increasingly used in various food applications. In particular,
nanoparticulate amorphous SiO2 is already contained, eg, in spices. Since intestinal …

Cell death is a ubiquitous process that occurs by apoptosis or necrosis depending on the
triggering event. While apoptotic and necrotic cells differ biochemically, both are cleared by …

Background Inflammasome-activated IL-1β plays a major role in lung neutrophilic
inflammation induced by inhaled silica. However, the exact mechanisms that contribute to …

Most bacteria that enter the bloodstream are taken up and eliminated within the liver. The
specific mechanisms that underlie the role of the liver in the resolution of systemic bacterial …

Peritoneal macrophages undergoing apoptosis induced by Shigella flexneri infection
release the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1), but not IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor …