Pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy

•Pyroptosis is pro-inflammatory-programmed cell death.•Caspase-1/4/5/11-dependent inflammasome pathways mainly participate in pyroptosis.•Caspase-3/8 also induces pyroptosis.•NLRP3 inflammasome activation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of DN.•Our article summarizes the mechanism of pyroptosis and its role in the pathogenesis of DN.•Our article suggests that some investigational compounds have promising therapeutic effects in treating and managing DN.