Multi-faceted role of pyroptosis mediated by inflammasome in liver fibrosis

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a reversible pathological overreaction during the self-repair of liver injuries, and it is the common period of chronic liver diseases induced by different pathogenesis progress into cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Pyroptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death, is reported to take part in the pathogenesis and progression of acute or chronic liver diseases and liver fibrosis. Caspase-1 dependent canonical pathway and caspase-4/-5/-11 mediated noncanonical pathway are the two signalling pathways to induce pyroptosis. The activation of inflammasomes under the stimulation of pathogenic microorganisms and danger signals can initiate the pyroptotic pathway and release large amounts of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines. This article comprehensively summarizes recent researches focused on the mechanism of pyroptosis and its role in major hepatic cells, which can provide potential therapeutic strategies for liver fibrosis.