Pattern recognition receptors such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 
(NOD)-containing protein receptors (NLRs) and the pyrin and hematopoitic 
interferon-inducible nuclear protein (HIN) domain (PYHIN) receptors initiate the 
inflammatory response following cell stress or pathogenic challenge. When 
activated, some of these receptors oligomerize to form the structural backbone 
of a signalling platform known as an inflammasome. Inflammasomes promote the 
activation of caspase-1 and the maturation of the proinflammatory cytokines, 
interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. The gut dysregulation of the inflammasome complex 
is thought to be a contributing factor in the development of inflammatory bowel 
diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The 
importance of inflammasomes to intestinal health has been emphasized by various 
inflammasome-deficient mice in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) models of 
intestinal inflammation and by the identification of novel potential candidate 
genes in population-based human studies. In this review, we summarise the most 
recent findings with regard to the formation, sensing, and regulation of the 
inflammasome complex and highlight their importance in maintaining intestinal 
health.