Pyroptosis: A possible link between obesity-related inflammation and inflammatory diseases

J Cell Physiol. 2022 Feb;237(2):1245-1265. doi: 10.1002/jcp.30627. Epub 2021 Nov 8.

Abstract

The main manifestation of obesity is persistent low-level inflammation and insulin resistance, which is an important factor inducing or promoting other obesity-related diseases. As a proinflammatory programmed cell death, pyroptosis plays an important role, especially in the activation and regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Pyroptosis is associated with the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory diseases and is characterized by the formation of micropores in the plasma membrane and the release of a large number of proinflammatory cytokines. This article mainly introduces the main pathways and key molecules of pyroptosis and focuses on the phenomenon of pyroptosis in obesity. It is suggested that the regulation of pyroptosis-related targets may become a new potential therapy for the prevention and treatment of systemic inflammatory response caused by obesity, and we summarize the potential molecular substances that may be beneficial to obesity-related inflammatory diseases through target pyroptosis.

Keywords: GSDMD; NLRP3; inflammation; obesity; pyroptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Inflammation
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein* / metabolism
  • Obesity / complications
  • Pyroptosis*

Substances

  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein