Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein platforms with pivotal roles in infectious diseases. Activation of inflammasomes results in pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling and pyroptosis.
Sexually transmitted infections are a major health problem worldwide, yet few studies have probed the impact of inflammasome signaling during these infections. Due to the dearth of appropriate infection models, our current understanding of inflammasomes in sexually
transmitted infections is mostly drawn from results obtained
in vitro, from distant infection sites, or from related microbial strains that are not sexually transmitted. Understanding how
inflammasomes influence the outcome of sexually transmitted infections may lead to the development of novel and effective strategies to control disease and prevent transmission.
Here, we discuss and highlight the recent progress in this field.