Gasdermins family-mediated cell survival: exploration of natural products intervention mechanisms

Gasdermins (GSDMs) are a family of pore-forming proteins that play central roles in programmed cell death, inflammation, and immunity. While individual GSDM members-particularly GSDMD and GSDME-have been studied in various pathological contexts, a comprehensive and systematic overview of the entire GSDMs family across different cell death modalities and immune functions remains lacking.

This review aimed to systematically summarize the structural characteristics, activation mechanisms, and functional roles of GSDM proteins, with an emphasis on their involvement in diverse forms of regulated cell death and their implications in inflammation-related and immune-mediated diseases.

GSDMs mediate pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis via both classical and non-classical mechanisms. Among them, GSDMD and GSDME are pivotal in inflammasome signaling and anti-tumor immunity, while GSDMA, GSDMB, and GSDMC exhibit context-dependent functions in epithelial homeostasis, immune evasion, and tumor progression. Natural products such as paeoniflorin and cucurbitacin B, along with targeted agents including disulfiram and dimethyl fumarate, have been shown to modulate GSDM activity-either suppressing inflammation or promoting pyroptosis in cancer cells. In clinical settings, altered GSDM expression is linked to the severity and prognosis of various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and chronic inflammatory disorders.

This review highlighted the regulatory roles and molecular mechanisms of the GSDMs family in cell death, inflammation, and immunity, and underscores their function as central hubs in these interconnected processes. Further elucidation of GSDM biology will deepen our understanding of cellular homeostasis and disease, and support the development of precise therapies.