Role of pyroptotic cell death in the pathogenesis of NASH

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a huge threat to public health of the whole world. Around 25% of NAFLD patients will progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which has been predicted to be the main reason for liver transplantation in the United States in 2020. Extensive effort has been devoted to investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of NASH pathogenesis and developing new promising treatments. Recent studies have demonstrated that pyroptosis, an inflammatory programmed cell death mediated by inflanunasome and gasdermin-D (GSDMD), is involved in the development and progression of NASH. This review aims to summarize the recent findings regarding the role of pyroptosis and related molecules in the pathogenesis of NASH.