The activity of caspase-1 is increased in lesional psoriatic epidermis.

Caspase-1 belongs to the group of inflammatory caspases and is the activating enzyme for the proinflammatory cytokine IL-18, a cytokine known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of caspase-1 in psoriatic skin and the signaling mechanisms involved in stress-induced activation of caspase-1 and IL-18. Interestingly, increased caspase-1 activity in lesional compared with non-lesional psoriatic skin was seen.