Critical role of caspase-1 in vascular inflammation and development of atherosclerosis in Western diet-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

► Caspase-1 deficiency reduced the atherosclerosis in Apoe−/− mice fed the Western diet. ► Caspase-1 deficiency reduced vascular inflammation in Apoe−/− mice fed the Western diet. ► Calcium crystals activate caspase-1 and release IL-1β and IL-1α in macrophages. ► IL-1β release by calcium crystals was caspase-1-dependent. ► IL-1 α release by calcium crystals was caspase-1-independent.