GLOBAL ANALYSIS OF PYROPTOSIS ON AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: BIBLIOMETRIC STUDY

Pyroptosis has gained increasing attention due to its role in immune responses and its implication in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Unlike apoptosis, pyroptosis is characterized by gasdermin D-mediated membrane pore formation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This bibliometric analysis aims to systematically explore trends, influential contributions, and emerging themes in the study of pyroptosis within the context of autoimmune diseases. Literature was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection covering publications from 2015–2024. A total of 1,271 English-language articles and reviews were analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer for performance metrics and network visualizations. Hotpots trend identification is elaborated in a thematic map. From 2015 to 2024, publications on pyroptosis in autoimmunity have grown steadily, though post-2020 there has been a decline in citations. Overall, 7039 authors contributed to the topic area with Cina as the leading contributor, although it remains limited within the country, followed by the United States and Italy. The most productive journals include Frontiers in Immunology and International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic analyses identified central hotspots involving “NLRP3 inflammasome” and “neuroinflammation”. Moreover, emerging thematic around autoimmune hepatitis and NLRP3 inflammasome remain the focal point in pyroptosis related to autoimmune diseases. Modulation of pathways such as NLRP3 and IL-1 family cytokines holds therapeutic potential. Neuroinflammation constitutes a well-established niche, while research on autoimmune hepatitis is expected to expand through preclinical animal models evaluating novel intervention strategies.