Absent in
melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a cytoplasmic
double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) sensing
protein that can recognize the dsDNA released during
cell disturbance and pathogen invasion and trigger the activation of
inflammasome cascade. Activation of
inflammasomes leads to the maturation and release of inflammatory
cytokines (
interleukin-1β and
interleukin-18), induces
pyroptosis, and initiate
innate immune response. Among these
inflammasomes, AIM2 and its mechanism of action and
clinical significance in
liver diseases has become a
research hotspot at present. This article summarizes and discusses the importance of AIM2 in the pathogenesis of various
liver diseases including
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,
hepatitis B virus infection,
liver fibrosis,
liver cirrhosis, and
hepatocellular carcinoma, so as to provide new ideas and a reference for clinical
treatment.