Autophagy‐mediated activation of the AIM2 inflammasome enhances M1 polarization of microglia and exacerbates retinal neovascularization

Abstract Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal neovascularization (RNV) disease that is characterized by abnormal blood vessel development in the retina. Importantly, the etiology of ROP remains understudied. We re‐analyzed previously published single‐cell data and discovered a strong correlation between microglia and RNV diseases, particularly ROP. Subsequently, we found that reactive oxygen species reduced autophagy‐dependent protein degradation of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) in hypoxic BV2 cells, leading to increased AIM2 protein accumulation. Furthermore, we engineered AIM2 knockout mice and observed that the RNV was significantly reduced compared to wild‐type mice. In vitro vascular function assays also demonstrated diminished angiogenic capabilities following AIM2 knockdown in hypoxic BV2 cells. Mechanistically, AIM2 enhanced the M1‐type polarization of microglia via the ASC/CASP1/IL‐1β pathway, resulting in RNV. Notably, the administration of recombinant protein IL‐1β exacerbated angiogenesis, while its inhibition ameliorated the condition. Taken together, our study provides a novel therapeutic target for ROP and offers insight into the interaction between pyroptosis and autophagy.