Roles of pyroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration

Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), the key pathological process in low back pain, is characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive cell death. Pyroptosis is a type of pro-inflammatory programmed necrosis mediated by inflammasomes that is dependent on the gasdermin family of proteins. An in-depth study of the pathological mechanisms of IDD has revealed that pyroptosis plays an important role in its occurrence and development. The molecular characteristics and activation signaling mechanisms of pyroptosis are reviewed in this paper. Moreover, the specific roles of pyroptosis in IDD pathology are outlined and various targeted drugs for its treatment are highlighted.

Keywords: Caspase-1; Inflammation; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Nucleus pulposus; Pyroptosis.