Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
05:14
Author Spotlight: Flow Cytometric Determination of Pyroptosis in Avian Cells
Published on: May 31, 2024
1.4K
Pyroptosis, a double-edged sword during pathogen infection: a review
Yuanhang Zhang1,2, Dengshuai Zhao1, Tianyu Wang1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China.
Cell Death Discovery
|July 2, 2025
Summary
Pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death, involves gasdermin proteins and is crucial for immunity. Pathogens like viruses and bacteria manipulate pyroptosis to evade immune responses and establish infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death (PCD) pathway characterized by inflammation.
- Gasdermin (GSDM) proteins initiate pyroptosis, causing cell membrane pores and releasing inflammatory signals.
- Pyroptosis is vital for controlling intracellular pathogens and modulating immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in how viruses and bacteria interact with the host pyroptotic pathway.
- To elucidate the mechanisms pathogens use to activate or inhibit pyroptosis.
- To understand how pathogens manipulate pyroptosis for dissemination and immune evasion.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current research on pathogen manipulation of pyroptosis.
- It focuses on effector proteins from viruses and bacteria that target the pyroptosis pathway.
- The review examines host-pathogen interactions within the context of pyroptosis.
Main Results:
- Pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, have evolved strategies to evade immune surveillance by manipulating pyroptosis.
- Pathogen effector proteins can either activate or inhibit host pyroptosis, facilitating pathogen spread.
- Manipulation of pyroptosis by pathogens is key to establishing persistent infections and blocking host immunity.
Conclusions:
- Understanding pathogen-mediated pyroptosis modulation offers new insights into host-pathogen interactions.
- Targeting pyroptosis pathways could be a strategy to combat infections.
- Further research into these mechanisms is essential for developing novel therapeutic approaches.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
603
The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
603
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
1.5K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.5K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
7.8K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
7.8K
01:26Defense Mechanism Against Infection
7.3K
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
7.3K
01:20Infection
8.8K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
8.8K
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
6.6K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
6.6K