The AIM2 inflammasome is a detector of cytosolic double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and plays an important role in the coordination of immune defense to DNA virus infections, as well as intracellular bacterial infections. AIM2 is activated by viral dsDNA, bacterial dsDNA and also aberrant host dsDNA., and consequently it has been linked to different human diseases. For example autoinflammation in psoriasis disease was found to be connected to recognition of self-DNA by AIM2. Furthermore, activation of the AIM2 is supposed to play role in autoimmune responses during the autoimmune disease systematic lupus erythematosus. The AIM2 inflammasome is also activated by pharmacological disruption of nuclear envelope integrity. AIM2 binds dsDNA with its C-terminal HIN-200 domain. The PYDdomain of AIM2 homotypically interacts by PYD-PYD interactions with ASC. The ASC CARD domain recruits pro-caspase-1 into the complex. Caspase-1 activates maturation of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18).
