Nanomaterials for Disease Treatment by Modulating the Pyroptosis Pathway

Abstract

Pyroptosis differs significantly from apoptosis and cell necrosis as an alternative mode of programmed cell death. Its occurrence is mediated by the gasdermin protein, leading to characteristic outcomes including cell swelling, membrane perforation, and release of cell contents. Research underscores the role of pyroptosis in the etiology and progression of many diseases, making it a focus of research intervention as scientists explore ways to regulate pyroptosis pathways in disease management. Despite numerous reviews detailing the relationship between pyroptosis and disease mechanisms, few delve into recent advancements in nanomaterials as a mechanism for modulating the pyroptosis pathway to mitigate disease effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to fill this gap and elucidate the path for the use of this promising technology in the field of disease treatment. This review article delves into recent developments in nanomaterials for disease management through pyroptosis modulation, details the mechanisms by which drugs interact with pyroptosis pathways, and highlights the promise that nanomaterial research holds in driving forward disease treatment.

Smart responsive Fe/Mn nanovaccine triggers liver cancer immunotherapy via pyroptosis and pyroptosis-boosted cGAS-STING activation

“…During pyroptosis, GSDM-N aggregates, causing perforation of the cell membrane and resulting in the release of DAMPs [ 15 ] and DNA damage [ 31 ]. The presence of free Mn 2+ in the cytosol can activate cGAS, making it responsive to cytoplasmic dsDNA that is exposed during pyroptosis, thus triggering STING pathway activation and the release of IFN-β [ 17 ].…”

Activatable Probes for Ratiometric Imaging of Endogenous Biomarkers In Vivo

“…Hypoxia is closely related to many diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases, and can be used as an indicator for early diagnosis. − Liang et al successfully fabricated a hypoxia-related nitroreductase (NTR) responsive dual-ratio FL/PA probe (AS-Cy-NO 2 ) consisting of a FL/PA scaffold of thioxanthene-hemicyanine (AS-Cy-1) and 4-nitrobenzene moieties for the quantitative visualization of tumor hypoxia in vivo (Figure a) . NTR, a biomarker in the hypoxic environment of tumors, can react with AS-Cy-NO 2 to reduce the nitro-recognition unit, then the AS-Cy-1 scaffold is released via a rearrangement/elimination reaction, thereby showing a NTR-responsive dual-ratio FL and PA signals.…”

Transition-Metal-Based Nanozymes: Synthesis, Mechanisms of Therapeutic Action, and Applications in Cancer Treatment

“…Despite tremendous efforts, the escalating number of cancer patients and subsequent high mortality rate have exposed the vulnerabilities inherent in current cancer treatment options . Encouragingly, transition-metal-based nanozymes hold immense promise across various biomedical domain oncologyies, owing to their exceptional catalytic performance, robust stability, and relatively affordable cost. − Consequently, our focus lies on exploring the application of transition-metal-based nanozymes in cancer treatment encompassing enhanced RT, CDT, PDT, PTT, sonodynamic therapy (SDT), immunotherapy, and synergistic therapy (Table ).…”