CircHipk3 serves a dual role in macrophage pyroptosis by promoting NLRP3 transcription and inhibition of autophagy to induce abdominal aortic aneurysm formation.

Aims: CircRNAs could regulate macrophage pyroptosis, which has the potential in promoting the synergistic effect of inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). But the roles of circRNAs in modulating macrophage pyroptosis in the AAA remain unknown. This study explored the contribution to AAA of circHipk3, which was macrophage pyroptosis promoter, and the underlying mechanism.