Clostridium difficile Toxin-Induced Inflammation and Intestinal Injury Are Mediated by the Inflammasome

TcdA and TcdB trigger IL-1β release by activating an ASC-containing inflammasome, a response that contributes to toxin-induced inflammation and damage in vivo. Pretreating mice with the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra afforded the same level of protection that was observed in ASC−/− mice. These data suggest that targeting inflammasome or IL-1β signaling may represent new therapeutic targets in the treatment of CDAD.