NLRP3 and colitis: This study has shown that downregulated circGMCL1 lowered ANXA7 expression through a ceRNA theory, thereby leading to autophagy deficiency in epithelial cells, followed by increased NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and release of a large proportion of proinflammatory cytokines, which ultimately results in aggravated colitis and impaired intestinal barrier function (Fig. 8).