Caspase-11 not only activates caspase-1, that is required for the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), but also activates caspase-3, leading to cellular apoptosis under pathological conditions. In most cells, caspase-11 is only expressed upon induction with pro-inflammatory stimuli. Caspase-11 is an essential mediator of endotoxic shock and caspase-11-deficient mice are resistant to endotoxic shock. LPS-induced caspase-11 regulates lymphocyte apoptosis by activating both caspase-3 and caspase-7.