Intrauterine exposure to oxidative stress induces caspase-1-dependent enteric nerve cell pyroptosis

Study demonstrates that intrauterine oxidative stress triggers caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in enteric nerve cells via NLRP3 inflammasome activation, potentially explaining abnormal enteric nervous system development in Hirschsprung disease. Findings validated in rat models show this pathway can be reversed with ROS scavengers and caspase-1 inhibitors.