Feng Shao - Pyroptosis: From Antibacterial Immunity to Antitumor Immunity

Professor Shao reviewed the discovery of pyroptosis and a key molecule in the pathway, Gasdermin-D. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) regulated the non-canonical inflammasome/pyroptosis in antibacterial defense and sepsis. LPS also modulated IL-18 activation through Caspase-4 rather than Caspase-11. Caspase-4/pro-IL18 complex crystal structure revealed a recognition mechanism resembling the recognition of GSDMD. The mechanism of pyroptosis also suggested a potential therapy in antitumor immunity by inducing pyroptosis of tumor cells.