Pyroptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy: Role and Therapeutic Advances

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an aseptic immune-inflammatory disease characterized by a persistent micro-inflammatory state in the kidneys. Pyroptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death driven by innate immune inflammation, plays a significant role in DN. Key steps in pyroptosis include inflammasome activation, caspase family activation, and gasdermin D cleavage. Additionally, non-coding RNAs contribute to inflammasome activation, significantly regulating pyroptosis in DN. This review focuses on the mechanisms and recent advancements in interventions targeting cell pyroptosis in DN, offering new perspectives for its diagnosis and treatment.