Instant Hydrogelation Inspired by Inflammasomes

Recognition of bacteria by inflammasomes.

Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein complexes that assemble in response to a variety of infectious and noxious insults. Inflammasomes play a critical role in the initiation of innate immune responses, primarily by serving as platforms for the activation of inflammatory caspase proteases. One such caspase, CASPASE-1 (CASP1), initiates innate immune responses by cleaving pro-IL-1β and pro-IL...

Dipeptide hydrogelation triggered via ultraviolet light.

UV irradiation of a dipeptide gelator in solution with a photoacid generator (PAG) results in the formation of a hydrogel. We demonstrate that photopatterning of these gels using a UV mask is possible.

Transition metal ion induced hydrogelation by amino-terpyridine ligands.

Hydrogelation behavior of two amino-terpyridine ligands in the presence of divalent metal ions in water was studied in detail. The effect of ligand structure and different counter anions on the gel morphologies was also explored.

SnapShot: Inflammasomes

The Inflammasomes

Inflammasomes are molecular platforms activated upon cellular infection or stress that trigger the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta to engage innate immune defenses. Strong associations between dysregulated inflammasome activity and human heritable and acquired inflammatory diseases highlight the importance this pathway in tailoring immune responses. Here, we co...