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Pyroptosis Regulated by N6-Methyladenosine Modification: Implications for Pyroptosis-Related Disease Therapy.
Yujun Zhou1, Bo Wei2, Sihan Chen2
1Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
Journal of Innate Immunity
|May 8, 2026
Summary
Pyroptosis, a programmed cell death, is regulated by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Understanding this epigenetic link offers new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pyroptosis is a lytic, inflammatory programmed cell death pathway crucial for host defense but implicated in various diseases when dysregulated.
- N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent RNA epigenetic modification impacting gene expression from RNA processing to protein synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review signaling pathways regulating pyroptosis.
- To comprehensively analyze the dynamic regulation of pyroptosis by m6A modification.
- To explore the pathophysiological significance of m6A-mediated pyroptosis in disease and identify therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of signaling pathways involved in pyroptosis.
- Analysis of the role of m6A 'writer', 'eraser', and 'reader' proteins in pyroptosis.
- Examination of the link between m6A-regulated pyroptosis and disease progression.
Main Results:
- Pyroptosis is executed by gasdermin proteins following inflammasome activation, leading to cell lysis and inflammation.
- m6A modification dynamically influences pyroptosis through specific regulatory proteins.
- Aberrant pyroptosis is linked to sepsis, inflammatory disorders, cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Conclusions:
- m6A modification represents a key regulatory mechanism in pyroptosis.
- Targeting m6A-mediated pyroptosis pathways presents promising therapeutic avenues for pyroptosis-related diseases.
- Further research into m6A-regulated pyroptosis can uncover novel therapeutic targets for inflammatory and other pathologies.
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