Pyroptosis, a double-edged sword during pathogen infection: a review.

Pyroptosis, a distinctive form of programmed cell death (PCD) characterized by its inflammatory nature, is triggered by the activation of pore-forming proteins known as gasdermins (GSDMs). This process is marked by progressive expansion of a pore within the cell, ultimately leading to cellular membrane disruption and the substantial release of intracellular contents. Pyroptosis plays a pivotal role in the eradication of intracellular pathogen replication niches and in the modulation of the immune system through the release of danger signals. Emerging evidence suggests that viruses have developed sophisticated strategies to evade immune surveillance and establish persistent infections by manipulating host pyroptotic pathway This review presents recent advances on the mechanisms by which two major pathogens (virus and bacteria) activate or inhibit the pyroptosis process through their effector proteins, thereby facilitating their dissemination and blocking host immunity. These insights provide new perspectives on the regulatory mechanisms of interactions between hosts and pathogens in the pyroptosis process.