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Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum
Published on: May 3, 2024
Pyroptosis in development, inflammation and disease
Yuhong Pan1,2,3, Wenjun Cai1,2,3, Juan Huang1,2,3
1Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
In the early 2000s, caspase-1, an important molecule that has been shown to be involved in the regulation of inflammation, cell survival and diseases, was given a new function: regulating a new mode of cell death that was later defined as pyroptosis. Since then, the inflammasome, the inflammatory caspases (caspase-4/5/11) and their substrate gasdermins (gasdermin A, B, C, D, E and DFNB59) has also been reported to be involved in the pyroptotic pathway, and this pathway is closely related to the development of various diseases. In addition, important apoptotic effectors caspase-3/8 and granzymes have also been reported to b involved in the induction of pyroptosis. In our article, we summarize findings that help define the roles of inflammasomes, inflammatory caspases, gasdermins, and other mediators of pyroptosis, and how they determine cell fate and regulate disease progression.
Insights
Pyroptosis, a cell death mode regulated by caspase-1, involves inflammasomes, inflammatory caspases, and gasdermins. These pathways are crucial for understanding inflammation and disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Caspase-1, initially known for inflammation and cell survival, was found to regulate pyroptosis, a distinct cell death pathway.
- The inflammasome complex, inflammatory caspases (caspase-4/5/11), and gasdermins (gasdermin A-E, DFNB59) are key components of the pyroptotic pathway.
- Apoptotic factors like caspase-3/8 and granzymes also play a role in inducing pyroptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current findings on the mediators of pyroptosis.
- To define the roles of inflammasomes, inflammatory caspases, and gasdermins in cell death.
- To elucidate how pyroptosis regulates disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research findings.
- Analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying pyroptosis.
- Correlation of pyroptosis pathways with disease development.
Main Results:
- Pyroptosis is a critical inflammatory cell death pathway.
- Inflammasomes, inflammatory caspases, and gasdermins are central to pyroptosis execution.
- The pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases.
Conclusions:
- Understanding pyroptosis mediators is essential for comprehending cell fate determination.
- Targeting pyroptosis pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex roles of pyroptosis in health and disease.
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