[Research progress of pyroptosis in acute respiratory distress syndrome]

The main pathophysiological changes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are massive destruction of pulmonary vascular endothelial barrier, pulmonary edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and refractory hypoxemia in severe cases. Pyroptosis is programmed cell necrosis, triggered by caspase and mediated by proteins in a member of conserved protein family Gasdermin D (GSDMD), which manifests as continuous cell expansion until cell membrane rupture, leading to release of cell contents and activation of a strong inflammatory response. Pyroptosis plays a key role in the development of septic ARDS. In this paper, the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis and the related researches on pyroptosis and ARDS are reviewed.