Activation of the inflammasome and pyroptosis cascade in podocytes of patients with minimal change disease

In contrast to childhood minimal change disease (MCD), adult-onset MCD frequently recurs and requires prolonged immunosuppressive therapy. Accordingly, an investigation of the pathogenesis of adult MCD is required. MCD is usually accompanied by severe dyslipidaemia. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is known to function in a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) through CD36, triggering the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and programmed cell death called pyroptosis. However, the relationship between MCD pathogenesis and NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis activation via CD36 is not fully understood.