Research progress in the role of caspase-3 in regulating pyroptosis and apoptosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240688
- Author:
Saiying CAO
1
,
2
;
Yi LONG
3
;
Lina YANG
1
,
4
Author Information
1. Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha
2. 236912078@csu.edu.cn.
3. Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha 410005, China.
4. ylnly1997@csu.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
apoptosis;
caspase-3;
crosstalk;
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
pyroptosis
- MeSH:
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism*;
Humans;
Pyroptosis/physiology*;
Apoptosis/physiology*;
Caspase 3/physiology*;
Animals;
Gasdermins
- From:
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences)
2025;50(6):1060-1066
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and advanced fibrosis, is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, progressing to cirrhosis and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Excessive accumulation of fatty acids in the liver triggers multiple forms of hepatocyte death and exacerbates NAFLD progression, with pyroptosis and apoptosis considered key events. Recent studies show that cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3 (caspase-3) is a central regulator of both pyroptosis and apoptosis in NAFLD. Activated caspase-3 not only directly induces apoptosis but also cleaves the N-terminal domain of gasdermin E (GSDME), disrupts cell membranes, releases inflammatory factors, and thereby mediates pyroptosis. Inhibiting caspase-3 expression in NAFLD can alleviate hepatocyte injury (such as ballooning degeneration), dampen pro-inflammatory signaling, and reduce apoptosis. Caspase-3 acts as a key node coordinating pyroptosis and apoptosis and may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
