Caspase-1

CASP1protein

Caspase-1 activates pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 via the NLRP3 inflammasome, promoting plaque inflammation and destabilization.

Pathway placement

Cascade stepPlaque inflammation

Confidencehigh

RationaleNLRP3 inflammasome component that releases IL-1β and IL-18; drives plaque inflammation and destabilization in atherosclerosis.

Druggability

DruggableYes

Known drugs / candidates3

Small-molecule tractableYes

Antibody tractableYes

EnsemblENSG00000137752

Type I vs Type II discrimination

ScoresType-II-associated

R — rupture / Type-I

C — confounder / Type-II

A — assay feasibility

E — evidence strength

T1DI (composite)

Specificity differential (R−C)-61.1

Confounder panel (Type-II drivers)

1sepsis / systemic inflammationmag 2

2anemia / acute blood lossmag 2

3hypovolemia / dehydrationmag 2

4tachyarrhythmiamag 2

5hypoxemia / respiratory failuremag 2

6hypertensive emergencyn/a

7high-demand / peri-operative stressmag 1

Coverage: 6/7 confounders with evidence

Tier: deep-scored (abstract-extracted) · 23 supporting references. See the discrimination table for all markers.

Class-level default (no specific cleared assay)— generic method inferred from analyte class; confirm against a specific product insert before use.

Specimen

Serum or plasma

Collection tube

Serum separator (gold/red-top, SST) · K2/K3-EDTA (lavender-top)

Method / principle

Sandwich immunoassay (ELISA) — research-grade unless a cleared assay exists

Reagent / substrate

Matched anti-target antibody pair (capture + labeled detection)

Platform

ELISA microplate or multiplex (Luminex/MSD)

Turnaround · availability

Send-out / research · Research-grade (no universal clinical assay)