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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum
Published on: May 3, 2024
Roles of pyroptosis in atherosclerosis pathogenesis
Xiaohan Liu1, Peiyi Luo2, Weiyun Zhang2
1Pathogen Biology Experimental Center, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330000, China.
Abstract:
Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory type of regulated cell death (RCD) characterized by gasdermin protein-mediated membrane pore formation, cell swelling, and rapid lysis. Recent studies have suggested that pyroptosis is closely related to atherosclerosis (AS). Previous studies reported that pyroptosis involving endothelial cells (ECs), macrophages, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays an important role in the formation and development of AS. Pyroptosis not only causes local inflammation but also amplifies the inflammatory response and it aggravates plaque instability, leading to plaque rupture and thrombosis, eventually resulting in acute cardiovascular events. In this review, we clarified some novel pathways and mechanics and presented some potential drugs.
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