Fig. 9
LCN2, secreted by astrocytes during brain ischemia/reperfusion injury, binds to 24p3R on the membrane of astrocytes. This process activates the NLRP3 inflammasome. Pro-caspase-1 was subsequently cleaved into caspase-1. GSDMDNterm cleaved by caspase-1 polymerized on the cell membrane, forming GSDMDNterm pores and causing programmed inflammatory cell death, pyroptosis. Activated caspase-1 promotes the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-18