AIM2炎症小体在动脉粥样硬化中的研究进展

炎症小体一直是动脉粥样硬化（AS）研究的重点，既往研究主要集中在NLRP3的作用机制上。近年来，一种参与天然免疫的胞质感受器AIM2进入视野，可识别dsDNA并诱发细胞焦亡，在平滑肌细胞、内皮细胞、巨噬细胞中均有表达，多维度参与AS的发生、发展。AIM2炎症小体在AS中的作用尚不明确，其在AS中的病理、生理机制需要进一步探究。该文通过总结AIM2炎症小体的结构、生物学特性、调节因素，综述其在AS领域中的研究进展，以期为AS的防治提供新的理念。

Research progress on the role of AIM2 inflammasome in atherosclerosis

Inflammasome has been the focus of atherosclerosis (AS) research, and previous studies have been centered on the role of NLRP3. In recent years, AIM2, a cytoplasmic receptor involved in innate immunity, has come into view. It can recognize dsDNA and induce pyroptosis. It is widely expressed in smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages, and is involved in the occurrence and development of AS in multiple aspects. The role of AIM2 inflammasome in AS remains unclear, and its pathophysiological mechanism in AS needs to be further explored. In this review, the structure, biological characteristics and regulatory factors of AIM2 inflammasome are summarized, and the research progress of AIM2 inflammasome in the field of AS is discussed, aiming to provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of AS by targeting AIM2 inflammasome.