Fiery Cell Death: Pyroptosis in the Central Nervous System

Abstract

Pyroptosis ('fiery death') is an inflammatory type of regulated cell death (RCD), which occurs downstream of inflammasome activation. Pyroptosis is mediated directly by the recently identified family of pore-forming proteins known as gasdermins, the best characterized of which is gasdermin D (GSDMD). Recent investigations implicate pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of multiple neurological diseases. In this review, we discuss molecular mechanisms that drive pyroptosis, evidence for pyroptosis within the CNS, and emerging therapeutic strategies for its inhibition in the context of neurological disease.

Keywords: caspase; central nervous system; glia; inflammasome; neuron; pyroptosis; regulated cell death.