Strategies of pathogenic bacteria against host pyroptosis: the shield-spear debate

Abstract

Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is characterized by cell lysis and the release of cytokines, damage-and pathogen-associated molecular patterns. It plays an important role during bacterial infection, which can promote inflammatory and immune responses to eliminate intracellular bacterial pathogens. In the long arms race, pathogens have evolved mechanisms to inhibit host pyroptosis, enhancing their survival and pathogenicity in the host. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis and its role in host defense, as well as the strategies of pathogenic bacteria to resist host pyroptosis, which will help us understand and explore the mechanisms of interaction between pyroptosis and bacterial pathogens, and provide ideas for the development of new drugs based on pyroptosis against pathogen infection in the future.