Regulation of pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy by long non-coding and circular RNAs

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus, predominantly affecting the kidneys of diabetic patients and resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Current standard treatments for diabetes have proven insufficient in halting the progression of DN, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and more effective therapeutic strategies. Pyroptosis, a pro-inflammatory regulated cell death process, has been previously associated with DN development. Recent evidence indicates that the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key inflammatory pathway complex, promotes DN through pyroptosis. Consequently, inhibiting inflammasome activity has emerged as a promising therapeutic target against DN, in conjunction with pyroptosis. This review introduces non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as potential regulators of pyroptosis in DN, as recent studies have documented their dysregulation in DN pathogenesis. In this study, we aim to discuss the characteristics of lncRNAs, circRNAs, and pyroptosis and explore their potential interconnection in DN development. By elucidating the link between these RNA molecules and pyroptosis, our goal is to deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disease. This knowledge could lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets and the development of innovative treatments for DN by modulating pyroptosis.