Targeting the DYNLL2-PAK1 axis inhibits caspase-11-dependent pyroptosis to alleviate sepsis

Sepsis, a life-threatening syndrome caused by dysregulated host responses to infection, lacks effective therapeutic strategies due to its complex immune pathophysiology. Here, we identify Dynein Light Chain LC8-Type 2 (DYNLL2) as a critical risk gene driving sepsis progression through bioinformatics and machine learning analysis of clinical datasets. Elevated DYNLL2 expression correlates with poor prognosis and monocyte expansion in sepsis patients. Mechanistically, DYNLL2 interacts with p21-Activated Kinase 1 (PAK1) to regulate the endocytosis of Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), facilitating cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) release and subsequent Caspase-11 inflammasome activation, thereby triggering pyroptosis. Depletion of DYNLL2 or PAK1 suppresses OMV internalization, Caspase-11/Gasdermin D (GSDMD) cleavage, and proinflammatory cytokine release without affecting bacterial clearance. Virtual screening identifies Oroxylin A, a flavonoid compound, as a potent inhibitor of the DYNLL2-PAK1 interaction. In vitro, Oroxylin A blocks Caspase-11-dependent pyroptosis by reducing cytosolic LPS levels. In murine endotoxemia models, Oroxylin A improves survival, mitigates multi-organ damage, and suppresses systemic inflammation. Our findings reveal the DYNLL2-PAK1 axis as a pivotal regulator of sepsis pathogenesis and propose Oroxylin A as a promising therapeutic candidate to disrupt pyroptosis and restore immune homeostasis in sepsis.