EXPRESS: PANoptosis in environmental pollutants-induced chronic respiratory diseases

Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and so on, pose a substantial global health challenge. Environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, particulate matter (PM), House dust mite (HDM), and silicon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are key contributors to these diseases, yet the underlying mechanisms remain not fully elucidated. PANoptosis, a recently identified form of programmed cell death that integrates apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, has emerged as a crucial player in various diseases. PANoptosis is orchestrated by the PANoptosome, a multi-protein complex driven by key sensors such as Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1), absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), and receptor-interacting protein kinases receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1). Increasing evidence suggests that PANoptosis contributes to lung diseases progression by exacerbating lung tissue damage in response to environmental pollutants. This review consolidates current findings on PANoptosis in pollutant-induced chronic respiratory diseases, which might provide new insights into underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.