Caspase-1 Builds a New Barrier to Infection

Caspase-1 promotes both the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines and apoptosis in cells infected by certain pathogens. Work by Gurcel et al. (2006) now reveals a surprising new function for caspase-1: the stimulation of membrane biogenesis to repair damage caused by bacterial pore-forming toxins. Thus, caspase-1 may promote host cell survival as a means of resistance to pathogenic bacteria