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Updated: May 28, 2026
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Examination of Pyroptosis by Flow Cytometry
Published on: May 31, 2024
Targeting Pyroptosis in Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases
1Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
Journal of Dental Research
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Pyroptosis, a cell death pathway, is implicated in oral diseases. Modulating pyroptosis offers new precision medicine strategies for oral and maxillofacial conditions, including cancer therapy and tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The oral and maxillofacial region faces constant microbial, mechanical, and oncogenic challenges.
- Pyroptosis, a programmed cell death, is increasingly linked to oral and maxillofacial diseases.
- Key mediators include inflammasomes (e.g., NLRP3), caspases, and gasdermins (GSDMD/GSDME).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of pyroptosis in oral and maxillofacial diseases.
- To explore pyroptosis's dual role in disease pathogenesis and anti-tumor immunity.
- To highlight emerging therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptosis for precision medicine.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human clinical specimens showing cleaved GSDMD/GSDME in various oral diseases.
- In vivo studies using genetic ablation (caspase-1) and pharmacologic inhibition (NLRP3).
- Investigation of pyroptosis induction in oral squamous cell carcinoma models.
Main Results:
- Pyroptosis is detected in periodontitis, peri-implantitis, apical periodontitis, oral lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis.
- Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of pyroptosis pathways ameliorates disease progression and promotes osteogenesis.
- Pyroptosis induction demonstrates anti-tumor effects in oral cancer, while its suppression aids tissue regeneration.
Conclusions:
- Pyroptosis plays a context-dependent role in oral and maxillofacial diseases, acting as both a driver and a therapeutic target.
- Targeting pyroptosis pathways presents a novel frontier for precision medicine in oral and maxillofacial conditions.
- Emerging therapies include stem cell treatments and nanomaterials for modulating pyroptosis and enhancing regeneration.
