GSDMD and viral infectious disease: Despite the vital role of AIM2 in viral infection (24, –, 26), studies regarding the effect of AIM2 on T. gondii infection were limited, and even AIM2 has been reported to induce gasdermin D (GSDMD)-independent, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC)- and caspase-8-dependent apoptosis through detecting T. gondii DNA during toxoplasmosis (27).