About this Research Topic
Pyroptosis is a form of cell death characterized by gasdermin family protein-mediated pore formation, a pro-inflammatory response and cellular lysis. It is a form of programmed cell death associated with infection with intracellular pathogens. Caspase dependent pyroptosis was first characterized as an independent form of cell death from apoptosis in 2001 due to its pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death. As a part of the cascade of our innate immunological response to protect us from infection and disease, pyroptosis could prove to be a double-edged sword. With studies showing excessive or chronic activation resulting in endotoxic sepsis shock and even toxicity leading to tissue damage and inducing a cytokine storm.
However, with increasing evidence linking pyroptosis to pro-inflammatory conditions and various forms of cancer, it has opened new avenues in therapeutic approaches through both its activation and inhibition. One such application is in the diminishing of pyroptosis activation during chemotherapy and radiotherapy to lessen the severe negative side effects that patients experience. Likewise, increasing its activation can assist in fighting off a microbial infection.
For this Research Topic, we want to establish what has been learnt and revealed about pyroptosis within the last 20 years since its discovery and how the future of pyroptosis within the field of cell death will be shaped. We encourage submissions that address, but not limited to, the following aspects of pyroptosis:
- Regulatory mechanisms of pyroptosis and its differentiation from apoptosis
- The interplay between pyroptosis and other regulated cell death pathways (such as apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy).
- Links to hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer
- Therapeutic applications in autoimmune diseases and cancer
- Negating negative side effects of pyroptosis activation from treatments like chemotherapy
However, with increasing evidence linking pyroptosis to pro-inflammatory conditions and various forms of cancer, it has opened new avenues in therapeutic approaches through both its activation and inhibition. One such application is in the diminishing of pyroptosis activation during chemotherapy and radiotherapy to lessen the severe negative side effects that patients experience. Likewise, increasing its activation can assist in fighting off a microbial infection.
For this Research Topic, we want to establish what has been learnt and revealed about pyroptosis within the last 20 years since its discovery and how the future of pyroptosis within the field of cell death will be shaped. We encourage submissions that address, but not limited to, the following aspects of pyroptosis:
- Regulatory mechanisms of pyroptosis and its differentiation from apoptosis
- The interplay between pyroptosis and other regulated cell death pathways (such as apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy).
- Links to hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer
- Therapeutic applications in autoimmune diseases and cancer
- Negating negative side effects of pyroptosis activation from treatments like chemotherapy
Keywords: Pyroptosis, Regulation, Therapeutic application, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Neurodegeneration
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
