Fig. 1

Summary of the mechanism of pyroptosis. In caspase-1-dependent pathway, the inflammasome sensors triggered by DAMPs and/or PAMPs could activate caspase-1. Subsequently, a cascade of events like the cleavage of GSDMD, maturation of pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18, release of pro-inflammation cytokines, formation of GSDMD pores and ultimately cell membrane rupture. In caspase-4/5/11-dependent pathway, inflammasome sensors can be directly activated by LPS, which is also a GSDMD-dependent pyroptotic pathway. In other pathways, caspase-3 triggers pyroptosis via GSDME while caspase-8 initiates pyroptosis via GSDMC. Additionally, pyroptosis can be activated without caspase family. CD8 + T cells and NK cells can secrete granzyme A and cause pyroptosis mediated by GSDMB, while release of granzyme B could induce pyroptosis via GSDME