Ferrostatin-1 alleviates ventilator-induced lung injury by inhibiting ferroptosis

Photodynamic therapy inhibits cancer progression and induces ferroptosis and apoptosis by targeting P53/GPX4/SLC7A11 signaling pathways in cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. The specific mechanism of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in treating CCA remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of PDT in the treatment of CCA and try to improve the therapeutic effect of PDT by intervening associated signaling pathways.

METHODS

The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to examine the cytotoxicity of CCA cell lines following PDT. Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by flow cytometry. A transmission electron microscope was used to study the changes in cell mitochondria after PDT. The levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous iron (Fe2+), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lipid peroxide (LPO) were determined. Changes in the expression of apoptosis and ferroptosis-related proteins were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Xenograft tumor models were developed to investigate the effects of PDT on tumor proliferation, apoptosis, and ferroptosis in vivo.

RESULTS

PDT inhibited tumor proliferation and induced apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. This treatment led to swelling and damage of the mitochondria in affected cells. Furthermore, ROS levels rose, accompanied by an increase in the proportion of apoptotic-positive cells. The expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were upregulated, while the Bcl-2 was downregulated. Meanwhile, PDT triggered ferroptosis, marked by decreased expressions of GPX4 and SLC7A11, and reduced GSH levels. This was accompanied by upregulation of P53 expression and heightened levels of Fe2+, LPO, MDA, and LDH. After inducing the ferroptosis pathway, the therapeutic effect of PDT was enhanced, the tumor tissue was further reduced, and the degree of malignancy was reduced.

CONCLUSION

PDT promotes apoptosis and ferroptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells by activating the P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway and inhibits the growth of cholangiocarcinoma. Inducing ferroptosis can enhance the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy.

Delineation and authentication of ferroptosis genes in ventilator-induced lung injury

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation, a critical support strategy for individuals enduring severe respiratory failure and general anesthesia, paradoxically engenders ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Ferrostatin-1 mitigates lung injury via ferroptosis inhibition, yet the specific ferroptosis genes contributing significantly to VILI remain obscure.

METHODS

Leveraging the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we acquired VILI-associated datasets and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To identify the hub genes, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network and used three parameters from CytoHubba. Consequently, we identified hub genes and ferroptosis genes as ferroptosis hub genes for VILI (VFHGs). We conducted enrichment analysis and established receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for VFHGs. Subsequently, to confirm the correctness of the VFHGs, control group mice and VILI mouse models, as well as external dataset validation, were established. For further research, a gene-miRNA network was established. Finally, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to fill the gap in the immune infiltration changes in the lung during VILI.

RESULTS

We identified 64 DEGs and 4 VFHGs (Il6,Ptgs2,Hmox1 and Atf3) closely related to ferroptosis. ROC curves demonstrated the excellent diagnostic performance of VFHGs in VILI. PCR and external dataset validation of the VILI model demonstrated the accuracy of VFHGs. Subsequently, the gene-miRNA network was successfully established. Ultimately, an Immune cell infiltration analysis associated with VILI was generated.

CONCLUSIONS

The results emphasize the importance of 4 VFHGs and their involvement in ferroptosis in VILI, confirming their potential as diagnostic biomarkers for VILI.

Astaxanthin alleviates PM2.5-induced cardiomyocyte injury via inhibiting ferroptosis

BACKGROUND

Long-term exposure of humans to air pollution is associated with an increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Astaxanthin (AST), a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment, was proved to have multiple health benefits. However, whether or not AST also exerts a protective effect on fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-induced cardiomyocyte damage and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

In vitro experiments, the H9C2 cells were subjected to pretreatment with varying concentrations of AST, and then cardiomyocyte injury model induced by PM2.5 was established. The cell viability and the ferroptosis-related proteins expression were measured in different groups. In vivo experiments, the rats were pretreated with different concentrations of AST for 21 days. Subsequently, a rat model of myocardial PM2.5 injury was established by intratracheal instillation every other day for 1 week. The effects of AST on myocardial tissue injury caused by PM2.5 indicating by histological, serum, and protein analyses were examined.

RESULTS

AST significantly ameliorated PM2.5-induced myocardial tissue injury, inflammatory cell infiltration, the release of inflammatory factors, and cardiomyocyte H9C2 cell damage. Mechanistically, AST pretreatment increased the expression of SLC7A11, GPX4 and down-regulated the expression of TfR1, FTL and FTH1 in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggest that ferroptosis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiomyocyte injury induced by PM2.5. AST may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating cardiomyocyte injury caused by PM2.5 through the inhibition of ferroptosis.