Inflammasome-derived IL-1β production induces nitric oxide–mediated resistance to Leishmania

Activation of inflammasomes has been implicated in sensing pathogens. Now Dario Zamboni and colleagues report that the Nlrp3 inflammasome has a key role in restricting replication of Leishmania parasites in macrophages and in mice by triggering interleukin-1A–dependent induction of nitric oxide, a crucial mediator of defense against Leishmania.