The role of pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases

Background: Recently, in addition to apoptosis and necrosis, several other forms of cell death have been discovered, such as necroptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. These cell death modalities play diverse roles in kidney diseases. Pyroptosis is a newly described type of pro-inflammatory programmed necrosis. Further exploring pyroptosis is helpful to slow the progression of kidney diseases and reduce their complications. Summary: Pyroptosis is mainly mediated by the cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD) along with downstream inflammasome activation. Activated-caspase-1 induces the release of cytokines by cleaving GSDMD. Inflammation is a major pathogenic mechanism for kidney diseases. Increasing evidence corroborated that pyroptosis was closely related to the progression of renal diseases, including acute kidney injury, renal fibrosis, diabetic nephropathy, kidney cancer. In this paper, we reviewed the role and the therapeutic treatment of pyroptosis in renal diseases. Key Messages: The better understanding of the progress and new intervention approaches of pyroptosis in kidney diseases, which may pave the way for new therapeutic opportunities in clinical practice.