| 
          caspase-1         | 
        
      | Vaxjo ID | 271 | 
        
      | Vaccine Adjuvant Name | caspase-1 | 
        
      | Adjuvant VO ID | VO_0005759 | 
        
      | Description | A protease that induces pyroptosis and cleaves pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Engineered as a constitutively active form to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. | 
        
      | Stage of Development | Research | 
        
      | Components | active caspase-1 DNA induced pro-IL-1β maturation and IL-1β release as well as gasdermin D-dependent cell death. | 
        
      | Structure | Contains CARD domain, catalytic p20 and p10 subunits; engineered form lacks CARD and is auto-cleaving for constant activation. | 
        
      | Storage | –20 °C | 
        
      | Preparation | DNA plasmids encoding constitutively active caspase-1 co-injected intradermally with antigen DNA in mice | 
        
      | Dosage | 10 µg DNA (1:1 ratio with antigen plasmid); higher/lower doses tested (2 µg and 50 µg) | 
        
      | Function | Active caspase-1 accelerated and amplified antigen-specific CD8 T cell responses when administered simultaneously with the DNA vaccine at an equimolar dose. | 
        
      | Safety | Well tolerated in mice; no local inflammation despite pyroptosis; safer than Alum (no off-target effects) | 
    	
	
	  | References | Arakelian et al., 2022: Arakelian T, Oosterhuis K, Tondini E, Los M, Vree J, van Geldorp M, Camps M, Teunisse B, Zoutendijk I, Arens R, Zondag G, Ossendorp F, van Bergen J. Pyroptosis-inducing active caspase-1 as a genetic adjuvant in anti-cancer DNA vaccination. Vaccine. 2022; 40(13); 2087-2098. [PubMed: 35177300]. |