Roles of Caspases in Necrotic Cell Death.

Caspases were originally identified as important mediators of inflammatory response and apoptosis. Recent discoveries, however, have unveiled their roles in mediating and suppressing two regulated forms of necrotic cell death, termed pyroptosis and necroptosis, respectively. These recent advances have significantly expanded our understanding of the roles of caspases in regulating development, adult homeostasis, and host defense response.