Question:medium

IL-1 is activated by which of the following?

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Think inflammasome and the enzyme once called ICE.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Caspase 1
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspase 5
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases. They split broadly into apoptotic caspases and inflammatory caspases. Step 2: The inflammatory caspase that matters for interleukin processing is Caspase-1, historically named ICE (IL-1 converting enzyme). It assembles inside the inflammasome along with sensor proteins such as NLRP3. Step 3: Active Caspase-1 trims the immature precursors pro-IL-1 beta and pro-IL-18, converting them into the secreted active cytokines that amplify inflammation. Step 4: The distractors Caspase 3 and Caspase 8 sit on the apoptosis pathway and have no role in maturing IL-1, so they are excluded. \[\boxed{\text{Caspase 1}}\]
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