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Updated: May 23, 2026

Examination of Pyroptosis by Flow Cytometry
05:14

Examination of Pyroptosis by Flow Cytometry

Published on: May 31, 2024

Pyroptosis, A Double-Edged Sword in Respiratory Diseases: A Narrative Review

Chen Yu1, Caijun Dai1, Lujian Zhu2

  • 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Inflammation Research
|May 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death, involves gasdermin proteins and is implicated in respiratory diseases. Understanding pyroptosis mechanisms and targeting its pathways offers potential for treating lung conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death (PCD) pathway mediated by gasdermin proteins.
  • It is triggered by danger signals and involves caspase activation, leading to membrane pore formation and cell lysis.
  • Dysregulated pyroptosis contributes to inflammation and tissue damage, particularly in respiratory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of pyroptosis.
  • To explore the role of pyroptosis in various respiratory diseases, including infections, ALI/ARDS, asthma, COPD, PF, and lung cancer.
  • To examine therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptotic pathways for respiratory immune-inflammatory diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pyroptosis mechanisms and its involvement in respiratory pathologies.
  • Analysis of recent findings on gasdermin family roles in disease.
  • Examination of current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptosis.

Main Results:

  • Pyroptosis acts as a double-edged sword in innate immunity, defending against pathogens but causing damage when dysregulated.
  • Evidence links pyroptosis to pulmonary infections, ALI/ARDS, asthma, COPD, PF, and lung cancer.
  • Targeting pyroptotic pathways shows promise for therapeutic intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Pyroptosis plays a complex and often dual role in respiratory immune-inflammatory diseases.
  • Further research into pyroptosis mechanisms and Gasdermin family functions is crucial.
  • Targeted therapies for pyroptosis offer potential for clinical translation in treating lung diseases.
Keywords:
immuno-inflammationinflammasomepyroptosisrespiratory diseasestherapeutic targets

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