Pyroptosis

Pyroptosis is a distinct form of regulated cell death (RCD) that is inherently pro-inflammatory. Unlike apoptosis, which is typically a quiet and immunologically silent demise, pyroptosis is characterized by cellular swelling, pore formation in the plasma membrane, and eventual cell lysis, leading to the rapid release of pro-inflammatory intracellular contents into the extracellular space. This lytic expulsion of cellular material, including various danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and processed cytokines, actively amplifies the inflammatory response.