The molecular and metabolic landscape of iron and ferroptosis in cardiovascular disease

Targeting ferroptosis as a prospective therapeutic approach for diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus, causing a substantive threat to the public, which receives global concern. However, there are limited drugs targeting the treatment of DN. Owing to this, it is highly crucial to investigate the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of DN. The process of ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death (RCD) involving the presence of iron, distinct from autophagy, apoptosis, and pyroptosis. A primary mechanism of ferroptosis is associated with iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the accumulation of ROS. Recently, many studies testified to the significance of ferroptosis in kidney tissue under diabetic conditions and explored the drugs targeting ferroptosis in DN therapy. Our review summarized the most current studies between ferroptosis and DN, along with investigating the significant processes of ferroptosis in different kidney cells, providing a novel target treatment option for DN.

Nanoparticles targeting OPN loaded with BY1 inhibits vascular restenosis by inducing FTH1-dependent ferroptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular restenosis following angioplasty continues to pose a significant challenge. The heterocyclic trioxirane compound [1, 3, 5-tris((oxiran-2-yl)methyl)-1, 3, 5-triazinane-2, 4, 6-trione (TGIC)], known for its anticancer activity, was utilized as the parent ring to conjugate with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, resulting in the creation of the spliced conjugated compound BY1. We found that BY1 induced ferroptosis in VSMCs as well as in neointima hyperplasia. Furthermore, ferroptosis inducers amplified BY1-induced cell death, while inhibitors mitigated it, indicating the contribution of ferroptosis to BY1-induced cell death. Additionally, we established that ferritin heavy chain1 (FTH1) played a pivotal role in BY1-induced ferroptosis, as evidenced by the fact that FTH1 overexpression abrogated BY1-induced ferroptosis, while FTH1 knockdown exacerbated it. Further study found that BY1 induced ferroptosis by enhancing the NCOA4-FTH1 interaction and increasing the amount of intracellular ferrous. We compared the effectiveness of various administration routes for BY1, including BY1-coated balloons, hydrogel-based BY1 delivery, and nanoparticles targeting OPN loaded with BY1 (TOP@MPDA@BY1) for targeting proliferated VSMCs, for prevention and treatment of the restenosis. Our results indicated that TOP@MPDA@BY1 was the most effective among the three administration routes, positioning BY1 as a highly promising candidate for the development of drug-eluting stents or treatments for restenosis.

Targeted mitochondrial fluorescence probe with large stokes shift for detecting viscosity changes in vivo and in ferroptosis process

We created four fluorescent sensors in our work to determine the viscosity of mitochondria. Following screening, the probe Mito-3 was chosen because in contrast to the other three probes, it had a greater fluorescence enhancement, large Stokes shift (113 nm) and had a particular response to viscosity that was unaffected by polarity or biological species. As the viscosity increased from PBS to 90 % glycerol, the fluorescence intensity of probe at 586 nm increased 17-fold. Mito-3 has strong biocompatibility and is able to track changes in cell viscosity in response to nystatin and monensin stimulation. Furthermore, the probe has been successfully applied to detect changes in viscosity caused by nystatin and monensin in zebrafish. Above all, the probe can be applied to the increase in mitochondrial viscosity that accompanies the ferroptosis process. Mito-3 has the potential to help further study the relationship between viscosity and ferroptosis.

Targeting ferroptosis in neuroimmune and neurodegenerative disorders for the development of novel therapeutics

Neuroimmune and neurodegenerative ailments impose a substantial societal burden. Neuroimmune disorders involve the intricate regulatory interactions between the immune system and the central nervous system. Prominent examples of neuroimmune disorders encompass multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. Neurodegenerative diseases result from neuronal degeneration or demyelination in the brain or spinal cord, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The precise underlying pathogenesis of these conditions remains incompletely understood. Ferroptosis, a programmed form of cell death characterised by lipid peroxidation and iron overload, plays a pivotal role in neuroimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of ferroptosis, its mechanisms, pathways, and regulation during the progression of neuroimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we summarise the impact of ferroptosis on neuroimmune-related cells (T cells, B cells, neutrophils, and macrophages) and neural cells (glial cells and neurons). Finally, we explore the potential therapeutic implications of ferroptosis inhibitors in diverse neuroimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.

SP2509 functions as a novel ferroptosis inhibitor by reducing intracellular iron level in vascular smooth muscle cells

Previous studies have shown that ferroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is involved in the development of aortic dissection (AD) and that histone methylation regulates this process. SP2509 acts as a specific inhibitor of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), which governs a variety of biological processes. However, the effect of SP2509 on VSMC ferroptosis and AD remains to be elucidated. This aim of this study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of SP2509-mediated histone methylation on VSMC ferroptosis. Here, a mouse model of AD was established, and significantly reduced levels of H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 (target of SP2509) were found in the aortas of AD mice. In VSMCs, SP2509 treatment led to a dose-dependent increase in H3K4me2 levels. Furthermore, we found that SP2509 provided equivalent protection to ferrostatin-1 against VSMC ferroptosis, as evidenced by increased cell viability, decreased cell death and lipid peroxidation. RNA-sequencing analysis and subsequent experiments revealed that SP2509 counteracted cystine deficiency-induced response to inflammation and oxidative stress. More importantly, we demonstrated that SP2509 inhibited the expression of TFR and ferritin to reduce intracellular iron levels, thereby effectively blocking the process of ferroptosis. Therefore, our findings indicate that SP2509 protects VSMCs from multiple stimulus-induced ferroptosis by reducing intracellular iron levels, thereby preventing lipid peroxidation and cell death. These findings suggest that SP2509 may be a promising drug to alleviate AD by reducing iron deposition and VSMC ferroptosis.

ACSF2 and lysine lactylation contribute to renal tubule injury in diabetes

AIMS

Lactate accumulation is reported to be a biomarker for diabetic nephropathy progression. Lactate drives lysine lactylation, a newly discovered post-translational modification that is involved in the pathogenesis of cancers and metabolic and inflammatory disease. Here, we aimed to determine whether lysine lactylation is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

METHODS

Renal biopsy samples from individuals with diabetic nephropathy (n=22) and control samples from individuals without diabetes and kidney disease (n=9) were obtained from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University for immunohistochemical staining. In addition, we carried out global lactylome profiling of kidney tissues from db/m and db/db mice using LC-MS/MS. Furthermore, we assessed the role of lysine lactylation and acyl-CoA synthetase family member 2 (ACSF2) in mitochondrial function in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2).

RESULTS

The expression level of lysine lactylation was significantly increased in the kidneys of individuals with diabetes as well as in kidneys from db/db mice. Integrative lactylome analysis of the kidneys of db/db and db/m mice identified 165 upregulated proteins and 17 downregulated proteins, with an increase in 356 lysine lactylation sites and a decrease in 22 lysine lactylation sites decreased. Subcellular localisation analysis revealed that most lactylated proteins were found in the mitochondria (115 proteins, 269 sites). We further found that lactylation of the K182 site in ACSF2 contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, the expression of ACSF2 was notably increased in the kidneys of db/db mice and individuals with diabetic nephropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study strongly suggests that lysine lactylation and ACSF2 are mediators of mitochondrial dysfunction and may contribute to the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

DATA AVAILABILITY

The LC-MS/MS proteomics data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange Consortium database ( https://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org ) via the iProX partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD050070.

DEX Inhibits H/R-induced Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis by the miR-141-3p/lncRNA TUG1 Axis

BACKGROUND

 Ferroptosis is emerging as a critical pathway in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, contributing to compromised cardiac function and predisposing individuals to sepsis and myocardial failure. The study investigates the underlying mechanism of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes, aiming to identify novel targets for myocardial I/R injury treatment.

METHODS

 H9C2 cells were subjected to H/R and treated with varying concentrations of DEX. Additionally, H9C2 cells were transfected with miR-141-3p inhibitor followed by H/R treatment. Levels of miR-141-3p, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) taurine upregulated 1 (TUG1), Fe2+, glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde were assessed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured via fluorescent labeling. Expression of ferroptosis-related proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) was determined using Western blot. The interaction between miR-141-3p and lncRNA TUG1 was evaluated through RNA pull-down assay and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. The stability of lncRNA TUG1 was assessed using actinomycin D.

RESULTS

 DEX ameliorated H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury and elevated miR-141-3p expression in cardiomyocytes. DEX treatment increased cell viability, Fe2+, and ROS levels while decreasing ACSL4 protein expression. Furthermore, DEX upregulated GSH and GPX4 protein levels. miR-141-3p targeted lncRNA TUG1, reducing its stability and overall expression. Inhibition of miR-141-3p or overexpression of lncRNA TUG1 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of DEX on H/R-induced ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSION

 DEX mitigated H/R-induced ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes by upregulating miR-141-3p expression and downregulating lncRNA TUG1 expression, unveiling a potential therapeutic strategy for myocardial I/R injury.

Neurotoxicity of manganese via ferroptosis induced by redox imbalance and iron overload

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element for maintaining bodily functions. Excessive exposure to Mn can pose serious health risks to humans and animals, particularly to the nervous system. While Mn has been implicated as a neurotoxin, the exact mechanism of its toxicity remains unclear. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that results from iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It plays a role in various physiological and pathological cellular processes and may be closely related to Mn-induced neurotoxicity. However, the mechanism of ferroptosis in Mn-induced neurotoxicity has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in Mn-induced neurotoxicity. Using bioinformatics, we identified significant changes in genes associated with ferroptosis in Mn-exposed animal and cellular models. We then evaluated the role of ferroptosis in Mn-induced neurotoxicity at both the animal and cellular levels. Our findings suggest that Mn exposure causes weight loss and nervous system damage in mice. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that exposure to Mn increases malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, and ferrous iron, while decreasing glutathione and adenosine triphosphate. These findings suggest that Mn exposure leads to a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and disrupts iron metabolism, resulting in oxidative stress injury and ferroptosis. Furthermore, we assessed the expression levels of proteins and mRNAs related to ferroptosis, confirming its significant involvement in Mn-induced neurotoxicity.

Metabolomics reveals that ferroptosis participates in bisphenol A-induced testicular injury

Objective

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common environmental endocrine disruptor that negatively impairs male reproductive ability. This study aimed to explore the alterations in serum metabolomics that occur following BPA exposure and the mechanism via which BPA induces the death of testicular cells in a male mouse model.

Methods

The mice were classified into two groups: BPA-exposed and control groups, and samples were collected for metabolomic determination, semen quality analysis, electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time PCR, pathological staining, and Western blot analysis.

Results

BPA exposure caused testicular damage and significantly decreased sperm quality in mice. Combined with non-target metabolomic analysis, this was closely related to ferroptosis induced by abnormal metabolites of arachidonic acid and phosphatidylcholine, and the expression of its related genes, acyl CoA synthetase 4, glutathione peroxidase 4, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3, and phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1 were altered.

Conclusion

BPA induced ferroptosis, caused testicular damage, and reduced fertility by affecting lipid metabolism in male mice. Inhibiting ferroptosis may potentially function as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate the male reproductive toxicity induced by BPA.

Ferroptosis: An important mechanism of disease mediated by the gut-liver-brain axis

AIMS

As a unique iron-dependent non-apoptotic cell death, Ferroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis and development of many human diseases and has become a research hotspot in recent years. However, the regulatory role of ferroptosis in the gut-liver-brain axis has not been elucidated. This paper summarizes the regulatory role of ferroptosis and provides theoretical basis for related research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched PubMed, CNKI and Wed of Science databases on ferroptosis mediated gut-liver-brain axis diseases, summarized the regulatory role of ferroptosis on organ axis, and explained the adverse effects of related regulatory effects on various diseases.

KEY FINDINGS

According to our summary, the main way in which ferroptosis mediates the gut-liver-brain axis is oxidative stress, and the key cross-talk of ferroptosis affecting signaling pathway network is Nrf2/HO-1. However, there were no specific marker between different organ axes mediate by ferroptosis.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our study illustrates the main ways and key cross-talk of ferroptosis mediating the gut-liver-brain axis, providing a basis for future research.

Advances in integrating single-cell sequencing data to unravel the mechanism of ferroptosis in cancer

Ferroptosis, a commonly observed type of programmed cell death caused by abnormal metabolic and biochemical mechanisms, is frequently triggered by cellular stress. The occurrence of ferroptosis is predominantly linked to pathophysiological conditions due to the substantial impact of various metabolic pathways, including fatty acid metabolism and iron regulation, on cellular reactions to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. This mode of cell death serves as a fundamental factor in the development of numerous diseases, thereby presenting a range of therapeutic targets. Single-cell sequencing technology provides insights into the cellular and molecular characteristics of individual cells, as opposed to bulk sequencing, which provides data in a more generalized manner. Single-cell sequencing has found extensive application in the field of cancer research. This paper reviews the progress made in ferroptosis-associated cancer research using single-cell sequencing, including ferroptosis-associated pathways, immune checkpoints, biomarkers, and the identification of cell clusters associated with ferroptosis in tumors. In general, the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology has the potential to contribute significantly to the investigation of the mechanistic regulatory pathways linked to ferroptosis. Moreover, it can shed light on the intricate connection between ferroptosis and cancer. This technology holds great promise in advancing tumor-wide diagnosis, targeted therapy, and prognosis prediction.

Bioinformatics analyses and experimental validation of ferroptosis-related genes in bronchopulmonary dysplasia pathogenesis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to study the involvement of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) by conducting bioinformatics analyses and identifying and validating the associated ferroptosis-related genes to explore new directions for treating BPD.

METHODS

The dataset GSE32472 on BPD was downloaded from the public genome database. Using R language, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the BPD and normal group were screened. In the present study, we adopted weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) for identifying BPD-related gene modules and ferroptosis-related genes were extracted from FerrDb. Their results were intersected to obtain the hub genes. After that, to explore the hub gene-related signaling pathways, the hub genes were exposed to gene ontology enrichment analysis. With the purpose of verifying the mRNA expression of the hub genes, a single-gene gene set enrichment analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were conducted. Immune cell infiltration in BPD was analyzed using the CIBERSORT inverse fold product algorithm.

RESULTS

A total of 606 DEGs were screened. WGCNA provided the BPD-related gene module darkgreen4. The intersection of DEGs, intramodular genes, and ferroptosis-related genes revealed six ferroptosis-associated hub genes (ACSL1, GALNT14, WIPI1, MAPK14, PROK2, and CREB5). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the hub genes screened for BPD were of good diagnostic significance. According to the results of immune infiltration analysis, the proportions of CD8, CD4 naive, and memory resting T cells and M2 macrophage were elevated in the normal group, and the proportions of M0 macrophage, resting mast cell, and neutrophils were increased in the BPD group.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of six ferroptosis-associated hub genes in BPD were identified in this study, and they may be potential new therapeutic targets for BPD.

The main molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its role in chronic kidney disease

The term ferroptosis, coined in 2012, has been widely applied in various disease research fields. Ferroptosis is a newly regulated form of cell death distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy, the mechanisms of which have been extensively studied. Chronic kidney disease, characterized by renal dysfunction, is a common disease severely affecting human health, with its occurrence and development influenced by multiple factors and leading to dysfunction in multiple systems. It often lacks obvious clinical symptoms in the early stages, and thus, diagnosis is typically made in the later stages, complicating treatment. While research on ferroptosis and acute kidney injury has made continuous progress, studies on the association between ferroptosis and chronic kidney disease remain limited. This review aims to summarize chronic kidney disease, investigate the mechanism and regulation of ferroptosis, and attempt to elucidate the role of ferroptosis in the occurrence and development of chronic kidney disease.

Nesfatin-1 mitigates calcific aortic valve disease via suppressing ferroptosis mediated by GSH/GPX4 and ZIP8/SOD2 axes

OBJECTIVE

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) predominantly affects the elderly and currently lacks effective medical treatments. Nesfatin-1, a peptide derived from the cleavage of Nucleobindin 2, has been implicated in various calcification processes, both physiological and pathological. This study explores the impact of Nesfatin-1 on the transformation of aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) in CAVD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In vitro experiments showed that Nesfatin-1 treatment mitigated the osteogenic differentiation of AVICs. Corresponding in vivo studies demonstrated a deceleration in the progression of CAVD. RNA-sequencing of AVICs treated with and without Nesfatin-1 highlighted an enrichment of the Ferroptosis pathway among the top pathways identified by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Further examination confirmed increased ferroptosis in both calcified valves and osteoblast-like AVICs, with a reduction in ferroptosis following Nesfatin-1 treatment. Within the Ferroptosis pathway, ZIP8 showed the most notable modulation by Nesfatin-1. Silencing ZIP8 in AVICs increased ferroptosis and osteogenic differentiation, decreased intracellular Mn2+ concentration, and reduced the expression and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD2). Furthermore, the silencing of SOD2 exacerbated ferroptosis and osteogenic differentiation. Nesfatin-1 treatment was found to elevate the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and levels of glutathione (GSH), as confirmed by Western blotting and GSH concentration assays.

CONCLUSION

In summary, Nesfatin-1 effectively inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of AVICs by attenuating ferroptosis, primarily through the GSH/GPX4 and ZIP8/SOD2 pathways.

Ferroptosis: principles and significance in health and disease

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by uncontrolled lipid peroxidation, is governed by molecular networks involving diverse molecules and organelles. Since its recognition as a non-apoptotic cell death pathway in 2012, ferroptosis has emerged as a crucial mechanism in numerous physiological and pathological contexts, leading to significant therapeutic advancements across a wide range of diseases. This review summarizes the fundamental molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways underlying ferroptosis, including both GPX4-dependent and -independent antioxidant mechanisms. Additionally, we examine the involvement of ferroptosis in various pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic disorders. Specifically, we explore the role of ferroptosis in response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, nanotherapy, and targeted therapy. Furthermore, we discuss pharmacological strategies for modulating ferroptosis and potential biomarkers for monitoring this process. Lastly, we elucidate the interplay between ferroptosis and other forms of regulated cell death. Such insights hold promise for advancing our understanding of ferroptosis in the context of human health and disease.

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid protects against deoxynivalenol-induced liver injury via modulating ferritinophagy and mitochondrial quality control

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a widespread mycotoxin, represents a substantial public health hazard due to its propensity to contaminate agricultural produce, leading to both acute and chronic health issues in humans and animals upon consumption. The role of ferroptosis in DON-induced hepatic damage remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the impact of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a prominent constituent of glycyrrhiza, on DON hepatotoxicity and elucidates the underlying mechanisms. Our results indicate that GA effectively attenuates liver injury inflicted by DON. This was achieved by inhibiting nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)-mediated ferritinophagy and ferroptosis, as well as by adjusting mitochondrial quality control (MQC). Specifically, GA curtails ferritinophagy by diminishing NCOA4 expression without affecting the autophagic flux. At a molecular level, GA binds to and stabilizes programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), thereby inhibiting its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. This stabilization of PDCD4 leads to the downregulation of NCOA4 via the JNK-Jun-NCOA4 axis. Knockdown of PDCD4 weakened GA's protective action against DON exposure. Furthermore, GA improved mitochondrial function and limited excessive mitophagy and mitochondrial division induced by DON. Disrupting GA's modulation of MQC nullified its anti-ferroptosis effects. Overall, GA offers protection against DON-induced ferroptosis by blocking ferritinophagy and managing MQC. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Food contamination from mycotoxins, is a problem for agricultural and food industries worldwide. Deoxynivalenol (DON), the most common mycotoxins in cereal commodities. A survey in 2023 showed that the positivity rate for DON contamination in food reached more than 70% globally. DON can damage the health of humans whether exposed to high doses for short periods of time or low doses for long periods of time. We have discovered 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a prominent constituent of glycyrrhiza. Liver damage caused by low-dose DON can be successfully treated with GA. This study will support the means of DON control, including antidotes.

Exposure to 6-PPD quinone causes ferroptosis activation associated with induction of reproductive toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Exposure to N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone (6-PPDQ) caused toxicity on Caenorhabditis elegans, including reproductive toxicity. However, the underlying mechanisms for this induced reproductive toxicity by 6-PPDQ remain largely unclear. We examined possible association of ferroptosis activation with reproductive toxicity of 6-PPDQ. In 1-100 μg/L 6-PPDQ exposed nematodes, Fe2+ content was increased, which was accompanied with enhanced lipid peroxidation, increased malonydialdehyde (MDA) content, and decreased L-glutathione (GSH) content. Exposure to 1-100 μg/L 6-PPDQ decreased expressions of ftn-1 encoding ferritin, ads-1 encoding AGPS, and gpx-6 encoding GPX4 and increased expression of bli-3 encoding dual oxidase. After 6-PPDQ exposure, RNAi of ftn-1 decreased ads-1 and gpx-6 expressions and increased bli-3 expression. RNAi of ftn-1, ads-1, and gpx-6 strengthened alterations in ferroptosis related indicators, and RNAi of bli-3 suppressed changes of ferroptosis related indicators in 6-PPDQ exposed nematodes. Meanwhile, RNAi of ftn-1, ads-1, and gpx-6 induced susceptibility, and RNAi of bli-3 caused resistance to 6-PPDQ reproductive toxicity. Moreover, expressions of DNA damage checkpoint genes (clk-2, mrt-2, and hus-1) could be increased by RNAi of ftn-1, ads-1, and gpx-6 in 6-PPDQ exposed nematodes. Therefore, our results demonstrated activation of ferroptosis in nematodes exposed to 6-PPDQ at environmentally relevant concentrations, and this ferroptosis activation was related to reproductive toxicity of 6-PPDQ.

Associations Between Genetically Predicted Iron Status and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

Mendelian randomization (MR) studies suggest a causal effect of iron status on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but it is unknown if these associations are confounded by pleiotropic effects of the instrumental variables on CVD risk factors. We aimed to investigate the effect of iron status on CVD risk controlling for CVD risk factors.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Iron biomarker instrumental variables (total iron-binding capacity [n=208 422], transferrin saturation [n=198 516], serum iron [n=236 612], ferritin [n=257 953]) were selected from a European genome-wide association study meta-analysis. We performed 2-sample univariate MR of each iron trait on CVD outcomes (all-cause ischemic stroke, cardioembolic ischemic stroke, large-artery ischemic stroke, small-vessel ischemic stroke, and coronary heart disease) from MEGASTROKE (n=440 328) and CARDIoGRAMplusC4D (Coronary Artery Disease Genome Wide Replication and Meta-Analysis Plus the Coronary Artery Disease Genetics) (n=183 305). We then implemented multivariate MR conditioning on 7 CVD risk factors from independent European samples to evaluate their potential confounding or mediating effects on the observed iron-CVD associations. With univariate MR analyses, we found higher genetically predicted iron status to be associated with a greater risk of cardioembolic ischemic stroke (transferrin saturation: odds ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.03-1.33]; serum iron: odds ratio, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.02-1.44]; total iron-binding capacity: odds ratio, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.69-0.94]). The detrimental effects of iron status on cardioembolic ischemic stroke risk remained unaffected when adjusting for CVD risk factors (all P<0.05). Additionally, we found diastolic blood pressure to mediate between 7.1 and 8.8% of the total effect of iron status on cardioembolic ischemic stroke incidence. Univariate MR initially suggested a protective effect of iron status on large-artery stroke and coronary heart disease, but controlling for CVD factors using multivariate MR substantially diminished these associations (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher iron status was associated with a greater risk of cardioembolic ischemic stroke independent of CVD risk factors, and this effect was partly mediated by diastolic blood pressure. These findings support a role of iron status as a modifiable risk factor for cardioembolic ischemic stroke.

Effects of ferroptosis-related gene HSPB1 on acute myeloid leukemia

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of ferroptosis-related gene heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1) on acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODS

The RNA-seq and clinical data of AML samples were obtained from the Genomic Data Commons database, and the FerrDb database was used to screen the marker, drive and suppressor of ferroptosis. Besides, DESeq2 was applied for differential expression analysis on AML samples and screening for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The screened DEGs were subjected to the intersection analysis with ferroptosis-related genes to identify the ferroptosis-related DEGs. Next, the functional pathways of ferroptosis-related DEGs were further be discussed by Gene Ontology as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of DEGs. Additionally, lasso regression analysis was employed to determine the differential genes related to prognosis in patients with AML and the survival analysis was performed. Subsequently, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of HSPB1 in normal/AML bone marrow tissues and human normal (HS-5)/AML (HL-60) bone marrow cells, respectively. Furthermore, HSPB1 was knocked down to assess the expression changes of glutathione peroxidase 4 and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4. Ultimately, the viability and oxidative stress levels of HL-60 were analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 and biochemical detection.

RESULTS

A total of 4986 DEGs were identified in AML samples, with 3324 up-regulated and 1662 down-regulated. The enrichment analysis illustrated that ferroptosis-related DEGs were significantly enriched in response to metal irons, oxidative stress, and other pathways. After lasso regression analysis, 17 feature genes related to the prognosis of patients with AML were obtained, with HSPB1 exhibiting a significant correlation. The reliability of our models was verified by Cox regression analysis and survival analysis of the hazard model. Furthermore, the outcomes of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot showed that mRNA and protein expression levels of HSPB1 were significantly increased in the AML Group and HL-60 cells. The knockdown of HSPB1 in HL-60 cells reduced the protein level of glutathione peroxidase 4, increased the protein level of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4, decreased the cell viability, and aggravated oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

Ferroptosis-related gene HSPB1 is highly expressed in patients with AML. In addition, HSPB1 may be involved in the occurrence and development of AML by regulating oxidative stress and ferroptosis-related pathways. This study provides new clues for further understanding of AML molecular mechanisms. Also, HSPB1 is expected to be a potential therapeutic target for AML in the future.

Nanodrugs based on co-delivery strategies to combat cisplatin resistance

Cisplatin (CDDP), as a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, is able to bind to DNA and inhibit cell division. Despite the widespread use of cisplatin since its discovery, cisplatin resistance developed during prolonged chemotherapy, similar to other small molecule chemotherapeutic agents, severely limits its clinical application. Cisplatin resistance in cancer cells is mainly caused by three reasons: DNA repair, decreased cisplatin uptake/increased efflux, and cisplatin inactivation. In earlier combination therapies, the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells prevented the achievement of the desired therapeutic effect even with the accurate combination of two chemotherapeutic drugs. Therefore, combination therapy using nanocarriers for co-delivery of drugs is considered to be ideal for alleviating cisplatin resistance and reducing cisplatin-related toxicity in cancer cells. This article provides an overview of the design of cisplatin nano-drugs used to combat cancer cell resistance, elucidates the mechanisms of action of cisplatin and the pathways through which cancer cells develop resistance, and finally discusses the design of drugs and related carriers that can synergistically reduce cancer resistance when combined with cisplatin.

Involvement of multiple forms of cell death in patulin-induced toxicities

Patulin (PAT) is the most common mycotoxin found in moldy fruits and their derived products, and is reported to cause diverse toxic effects, including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity and dermal toxicity. The cell death induction by PAT is suggested to be a key cellular mechanism involved in PAT-induced toxicities. Accumulating evidence indicates that the multiple forms of cell death are induced in response to PAT exposure, including apoptosis, autophagic cell death, pyroptosis and ferroptosis. Mechanistically, the cell death induction by PAT is associated the oxidative stress induction via reducing the antioxidant capacity or inducing pro-oxidant NADPH oxidase, the activation of mitochondrial pathway via regulating BCL-2 family proteins, the disruption of iron metabolism through ferritinophagy-mediated ferritin degradation, and the induction of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pathway. In this review article, we summarize the present understanding of the cell death induction by PAT, discuss the potential signaling pathways underlying PAT-induced cell death, and propose the issues that need to be addressed to promote the development of cell death-based approach to counteract PAT-induced toxicities.

MaiJiTong granule attenuates atherosclerosis by reducing ferroptosis via activating STAT6-mediated inhibition of DMT1 and SOCS1/p53 pathways in LDLR-/- mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Atherosclerosis is the primary pathological basis of cardiovascular disease. Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death, a process of lipid peroxidation driven by iron, which can initiate and promote atherosclerosis. STAT6 is a signal transducer that shows a potential role in regulating ferroptosis, but, the exact role in ferroptosis during atherogenesis remains unclear. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Maijitong granule (MJT) is used for treating cardiovascular disease and shows a potential inhibitory effect on ferroptosis. However, the antiatherogenic effect and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we determined the role of STAT6 in ferroptosis during atherogenesis, investigated the antiatherogenic effect of MJT, and determined whether its antiatherogenic effect was dependent on the inhibition of ferroptosis.

METHODS

8-week-old male LDLR-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) at 1st and 10th week, respectively, to assess the preventive and therapeutic effects of MJT on atherosclerosis and ferroptosis. Simultaneously, the anti-ferroptotic effects and mechanism of MJT were determined by evaluating the expression of genes responsible for lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism. Subsequently, we reanalyzed microarray data in the GSE28117 obtained from cells after STAT6 knockdown or overexpression and analyzed the correlation between STAT6 and ferroptosis. Finally, the STAT6-/- mice were fed HFD and injected with AAV-PCSK9 to validate the role of STAT6 in ferroptosis during atherogenesis and revealed the antiatherogenic and anti-ferroptotic effect of MJT.

RESULTS

MJT attenuated atherosclerosis by reducing plaque lesion area and enhancing plaque stability in both preventive and therapeutic groups. MJT reduced inflammation via suppressing inflammatory cytokines and inhibited foam cell formation by lowering the LDL level and promoting ABCA1/G1-mediated lipid efflux. MJT ameliorated the ferroptosis by reducing lipid peroxidation and iron dysregulation during atherogenesis. Mechanistically, STAT6 negatively regulated ferroptosis by transcriptionally suppressing SOCS1/p53 and DMT1 pathways. MJT suppressed the DMT1 and SOCS1/p53 via stimulating STAT6 phosphorylation. In addition, STAT6 knockout exacerbated atherosclerosis and ferroptosis, which abolished the antiatherogenic and anti-ferroptotic effects of MJT.

CONCLUSION

STAT6 acts as a negative regulator of ferroptosis and atherosclerosis via transcriptionally suppressing DMT1 and SOCS1 expression and MJT attenuates atherosclerosis and ferroptosis by activating the STAT6-mediated inhibition of DMT1 and SOCS1/p53 pathways, which indicated that STAT6 acts a novel promising therapeutic target to ameliorate atherosclerosis by inhibiting ferroptosis and MJT can serve as a new therapy for atherosclerosis treatment.

Inhibition of METTL3 ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through suppression of TFRC-mediated ferroptosis

BACKGROUND

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic drug, while its clinical use is greatly limited by the life-threatening cardiotoxicity. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification participates in varieties of cellular processes. Nonetheless, it remains elusive whether m6A modification and its methyltransferase METTL3 are involved in the progression of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC).

METHODS

Mice were administrated with DOX (accumulative dosage of 20 mg/kg) repeatedly to establish a chronic DIC model. Cardiomyocyte-specific conditional METTL3 knockout mice were employed to evaluate the effects of altered m6A RNA modification on DIC. The effects of METTL3 on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were also examined in response to DOX stimulation.

RESULTS

DOX led to increased levels in m6A modification and METTL3 expression in cardiomyocytes in a c-Jun-dependent manner. METTL3-knockout mice exhibited improved cardiac function, remodeling and injury following DOX insult. Besides, inhibition of METTL3 alleviated DOX-induced iron accumulation and ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes, whereas METTL3 overexpression exerted the opposite effects. Mechanistically, METTL3 promoted m6A modification of TFRC mRNA, a critical gene governing iron uptake, and enhanced its stability through recognition of the m6A reader protein, IGF2BP2. Moreover, pharmacological administration of a highly selective METTL3 inhibitor STM2457 effectively ameliorated DIC in mice.

CONCLUSION

METTL3 plays a cardinal role in the etiology of DIC by regulating cardiac iron metabolism and ferroptosis through TFRC m6A modification. Inhibition of METTL3 might be a potential therapeutic avenue for DIC.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals molecular characterization and immune landscape of PANoptosis-related genes in atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by abnormal lipid deposition in the arteries. Programmed cell death is involved in the inflammatory response of atherosclerosis, but PANoptosis, as a new form of programmed cell death, is still unclear in atherosclerosis. This study explored the key PANoptosis-related genes involved in atherosclerosis and their potential mechanisms through bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

We evaluated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immune infiltration landscape in atherosclerosis using microarray datasets and bioinformatics analysis. By intersecting PANoptosis-related genes from the GeneCards database with DEGs, we obtained a set of PANoptosis-related genes in atherosclerosis (PANoDEGs). Functional enrichment analysis of PANoDEGs was performed and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of PANoDEGs was established. The machine learning algorithms were used to identify the key PANoDEGs closely linked to atherosclerosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic potency of key PANoDEGs. CIBERSORT was used to analyze the immune infiltration patterns in atherosclerosis, and the Spearman method was used to study the relationship between key PANoDEGs and immune infiltration abundance. The single gene enrichment analysis of key PANoDEGs was investigated by GSEA. The transcription factors and target miRNAs of key PANoDEGs were predicted by Cytoscape and online database, respectively. The expression of key PANoDEGs was validated through animal and cell experiments.

RESULTS

PANoDEGs in atherosclerosis were significantly enriched in apoptotic process, pyroptosis, necroptosis, cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis. Four key PANoDEGs (ZBP1, SNHG6, DNM1L, and AIM2) were found to be closely related to atherosclerosis. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the key PANoDEGs had a strong diagnostic potential in distinguishing atherosclerotic samples from control samples. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that the proportion of initial B cells, plasma cells, CD4 memory resting T cells, and M1 macrophages was significantly higher in atherosclerotic tissues compared to normal tissues. Spearman analysis showed that key PANoDEGs showed strong correlations with immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, plasma cells, and mast cells. The regulatory networks of the four key PANoDEGs were established. The expression of key PANoDEGs was verified in further cell and animal experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

This study evaluated the expression changes of PANoptosis-related genes in atherosclerosis, providing a reference direction for the study of PANoptosis in atherosclerosis and offering potential new avenues for further understanding the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of atherosclerosis.

Idebenone alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by stabilizing FSP1 to inhibit ferroptosis

Doxorubicin (DOX)-mediated cardiotoxicity can exacerbate mortality in oncology patients, but related pharmacotherapeutic measures are relatively limited. Ferroptosis was recently identified as a major mechanism of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Idebenone, a novel ferroptosis inhibitor, is a well-described clinical drug widely used. However, its role and pathological mechanism in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity are still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of idebenone on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and elucidated its underlying mechanism. A single intraperitoneal injection of DOX (15 mg/kg) was administrated to establish DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The results showed that idebenone significantly attenuated DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction due to its ability to regulate acute DOX-induced Fe2+ and ROS overload, which resulted in ferroptosis. CESTA and BLI further revealed that idebenone's anti-ferroptosis effect was mediated by FSP1. Interestingly, idebenone increased FSP1 protein levels but did not affect Fsp1 mRNA levels in the presence of DOX. Idebenone could form stable hydrogen bonds with FSP1 protein at K355, which may influence its association with ubiquitin. The results confirmed that idebenone stabilized FSP1 protein levels by inhibiting its ubiquitination degradation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates idebenone attenuated DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis via regulation of FSP1, making it a potential clinical drug for patients receiving DOX treatment.

PM2.5-induced iron homeostasis imbalance triggers cardiac hypertrophy through ferroptosis in a selective autophagy crosstalk manner

Exposure to PM2.5 is correlated with cardiac remodeling, of which cardiac hypertrophy is one of the main clinical manifestations. Ferroptosis plays an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. However, the potential mechanism of PM2.5-induced cardiac hypertrophy through ferroptosis remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of cardiac hypertrophy caused by PM2.5 and the intervention role of MitoQ involved in this process. The results showed that PM2.5 could induce cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in mice. Meanwhile, the characteristics of ferroptosis were observed, such as iron homeostasis imbalance, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial damage and abnormal expression of key molecules. MitoQ treatment could effectively mitigate these alternations. After treating human cardiomyocyte AC16 with PM2.5, ferroptosis activator (Erastin) and inhibitor (Fer-1), it was found that PM2.5 could promote ferritinophagy and lead to lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction as well as the accumulation of intracellular and mitochondrial labile iron. Subsequently, mitophagy was activated and provided an additional source of labile iron, enhancing the sensitivity of AC16 cells to ferroptosis. Furthermore, Fer-1 alleviated PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity and iron overload in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of AC16 cells. It was worth noting that during the process of PM2.5 caused ferroptosis, abnormal iron metabolism mediated the activation of ferritinophagy and mitophagy in a temporal order. In addition, NCOA4 knockdown reversed the iron homeostasis imbalance and lipid peroxidation caused by PM2.5, thereby alleviating ferroptosis. In summary, our study found that iron homeostasis imbalance-mediated the crosstalk of ferritinophagy and mitophagy played an important role in PM2.5-induced ferroptosis and cardiac hypertrophy.

Regulation of cardiac ferroptosis in diabetic human heart failure: uncovering molecular pathways and key targets

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart failure by inducing myocardial cell death, potentially through ferroptosis-an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic cell death pathway characterized by lipid peroxidation. The role of cardiac ferroptosis in human heart failure, however, remains poorly understood. In this study, we compared cardiac ferroptosis in humans with diabetic heart failure to that in healthy controls. Our findings reveal that diabetes not only intensifies myocardial cell death but also upregulates markers of ferroptosis in human hearts. This is linked to decreased transcription and activity of glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4), influenced by reduced levels of activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (NRF2), and downregulation of glutathione reductase (GSR). Additionally, diabetic hearts showed an increased labile iron pool due to enhanced heme metabolism by heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), elevated iron import via divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1), reduced iron storage through ferritin light chain (FLC), and decreased iron export via ferroportin-1 (FPN1). The reduction in FPN1 levels likely results from decreased stabilization by amyloid precursor protein (APP) and diminished NRF2-mediated transcription. Furthermore, diabetes upregulates lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase-3 (LPCAT3), facilitating the integration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into phospholipid membranes, and downregulates acyl-CoA thioesterase-1 (ACOT1), which further promotes ferroptosis. LC-MS/MS analysis identified several novel proteins implicated in diabetes-induced cardiac ferroptosis, including upregulated ceruloplasmin, which enhances iron metabolism, and cytochrome b-245 heavy chain (CYBB), a key component of NADPH oxidase that aids in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), along with downregulated voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein-2 (VDAC2), essential for maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, our study not only confirms the presence and potentially predominant role of cardiac ferroptosis in humans with diabetic heart failure but also elucidates its molecular mechanisms, offering potential therapeutic targets to mitigate heart failure complications in diabetic patients.

MiR-31-5p alleviates septic cardiomyopathy by targeting BAP1 to inhibit SLC7A11 deubiquitination and ferroptosis

Septic cardiomyopathy is one of the most severe and common complications in patients with sepsis and poses a great threat to their prognosis. However, the potential mechanisms and effective therapeutic drugs need to be explored. The control of cardiac cell death by miRNAs has emerged as a prominent area of scientific interest in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disorders in recent times. In the present investigation, we discovered that overexpression of miR-31-5p prevented LPS-induced damage to H9C2 cells and that miR-31-5p could inhibit BAP1 production by binding to its 3'-UTR. BRCA1-Associated Protein 1 (BAP1) is a ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase. BAP1 upregulation blocked effect of miR-31-5p on H9C2 cell injury. Moreover, BAP1 inhibited the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) by deubiquitinating histone 2 A (H2Aub) on the promoter of SLC7A11. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-31-5p and downregulation of BAP1 inhibited SLC7A11 mediated ferroptosis. In addition, the downregulation of SLC7A11 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-31-5p on the expression of myocardial injury and inflammatory factors, and cell apoptosis was reversed. In conclusion, these results indicate that miR-31-5p alleviates malignant development of LPS-induced H9C2 cell injury by targeting BAP1 and regulating SLC7A11 deubiquitination-mediated ferroptosis, which confirmed the protective effect of miR-31-5p on H9C2 cell injury and revealed potential mechanisms that may provide new targets for treatment of septic cardiomyopathy.

Identification and functional analysis of the hub Ferroptosis-Related gene EZH2 in diabetic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication and one of the main causes of death in diabetes. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent mode of cell death characterized by lipid ROS accumulation, was found to be associated with a number of diseases and has great potential for kidney diseases. It has great value to identify potential ferroptosis-related genes and their biological mechanisms in DKD.

METHODS

We obtained the GSE30122 dataset from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and ferroptosis-related genes from the Ferrdb database. After differential expression analysis, and three machine learning algorithms, the hub ferroptosis-related gene EZH2 was identified. In order to investigate the function of EZH2, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and single cell analysis were conducted. The expression of EZH2 was validated in DKD patients, HK-2 cell models and DKD mouse models. EZH2 knockdown HK-2 cells and HK-2 cells treated with GSK126 were performed to verify whether EZH2 affected ferroptosis in DKD. CHIP assay was used to detect whether EZH2 regulated ferroptosis by suppressing SLC7A11. Molecular docking was performed to explore EZH2 and four traditional Chinese medicine (Sennoside A, Berberine, Umbelliferone, Platycodin D) related to ferroptosis in DKD treatment.

RESULTS

According to the GSE30122 dataset in GEO and ferroptosis-related genes from the Ferrb database, we obtained the hub ferroptosis-related gene EZH2 in DKD via diversified machine learning methods. The increasing of EZH2 expression was shown in single cell analysis, DKD patients, DKD mouse models and high glucose induced DKD cell models. Further study showed that EZH2 knockdown and inhibition can alleviate HG-induced ferroptosis in vitro. CHIP assay showed EZH2-mediated epigenetic silencing regulated the expression of SLC7A11. Molecular docking results showed that EZH2 had strong binding stability with Sennoside A, Berberine, Umbelliferone, and Platycodin D.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our data shouwed that histone H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2 could regulate the renal tubular epithelial cell ferroptosis by suppressing SLC7A11 in DKD, which may serve as a credible reliable indicator for diagnosing DKD and a potential target for treatment.

Inhibition of Slc39a14/Slc39a8 reduce vascular calcification via alleviating iron overload induced ferroptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Vascular calcification (VC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Recently, ferroptosis has been recognised as a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. Although an association between ferroptosis and vascular calcification has been reported, the role and mechanism of iron overload in vascular calcification are still poorly understood. Specifically, further in-depth research is required on whether metalloproteins SLC39a14 and SLC39a8 are involved in ferroptosis induced by iron overload.

METHODS

R language was employed for the differential analysis of the dataset, revealing the correlation between ferroptosis and calcification. The experimental approaches encompassed both in vitro and in vivo studies, incorporating the use of iron chelators and models of iron overload. Additionally, gain- and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to investigate iron's effects on vascular calcification comprehensively. Electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to elucidate how Slc39a14 and Slc39a8 mediate iron overload and promote calcification.

RESULTS

Ferroptosis was observed in conjunction with vascular calcification (VC); the association was consistently confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. Our results showed a positive correlation between iron overload in VSMCs and calcification. Iron chelators are effective in reversing VC and iron overload exacerbates this process. The expression levels of the metal transport proteins Slc39a14 and Slc39a8 were significantly upregulated during calcification; the inhibition of their expression alleviated VC. Conversely, Slc39a14 overexpression exacerbates calcification and promotes intracellular iron accumulation in VSMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research demonstrates that iron overload occurs during VC, and that inhibition of Slc39a14 and Slc39a8 significantly relieves VC by intercepting iron overload-induced ferroptosis in VSMCs, providing new insights into the VC treatment.

Targeting the Ferroptosis and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signaling Pathways by CBX7 in Myocardial Ischemia/reperfusion Injury

Ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) are common events in the process of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). The suppression of chromobox7 (CBX7) has been reported to protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury, This research is purposed to expose the impacts and mechanism of CBX7 in myocardial IRI. CBX7 expression was detected using RT-qPCR and western blotting analysis. CCK-8 assay detected cell viability. Inflammatory response and oxidative stress were detected by ELISA, DCFH-DA probe and related assay kits. Flow cytometry analysis and caspase3 activity assay were used to detect cell apoptosis. C11-BODIPY 581/591 staining and ferro-orange staining were used to detect lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Fe2+ level, respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins associated with apoptosis, ferroptosis and ERS. In the hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model of rat cardiomyocytes H9c2, CBX7 was highly expressed. CBX7 interference significantly protected against inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, ferroptosis and ERS induced by H/R in H9c2 cells. Moreover, after the pretreatment with ferroptosis activator erastin or ERS agonist Tunicamycin (TM), the protective effects of CBX7 knockdown on the inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in H/R-induced H9c2 cells was partially abolished. To summarize, CBX7 down-regulation may exert anti-ferroptosis and anti-ERS activities to alleviate H/R-stimulated myocardial injury.

Monitoring ROS Responsive Fe3O4-based Nanoparticle Mediated Ferroptosis and Immunotherapy via 129Xe MRI

The immune checkpoint blockade strategy has improved the survival rate of late-stage lung cancer patients. However, the low immune response rate limits the immunotherapy efficiency. Here, we report a ROS-responsive Fe3O4-based nanoparticle that undergoes charge reversal and disassembly in the tumor microenvironment, enhancing the uptake of Fe3O4 by tumor cells and triggering a more severe ferroptosis. In the tumor microenvironment, the nanoparticle rapidly disassembles and releases the loaded GOx and the immune-activating peptide Tuftsin under overexpressed H2O2. GOx can consume the glucose of tumor cells and generate more H2O2, promoting the disassembly of the nanoparticle and drug release, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect of ferroptosis. Combined with Tuftsin, it can more effectively reverse the immune-suppressive microenvironment and promote the recruitment of effector T cells in tumor tissues. Ultimately, in combination with α-PD-L1, there is significant inhibition of the growth of lung metastases. Additionally, the hyperpolarized 129Xe method has been used to evaluate the Fe3O4 nanoparticle-mediated immunotherapy, where the ventilation defects in lung metastases have been significantly improved with complete lung structure and function recovered. The ferroptosis-enhanced immunotherapy combined with non-radiation evaluation methodology paves a new way for designing novel theranostic agents for cancer therapy.

ANO6 (TMEM16F) inhibits gastrointestinal stromal tumor growth and induces ferroptosis

Herein, we elucidate the potential role of ANO6 (TMEM16F) in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). ANO6 expression in GIST and adjacent normal tissues was determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis were examined utilizing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling staining, and flow cytometry. In addition, the total iron and Fe2+ levels were assessed. IL-18 and IL-1β levels were also evaluated. Lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), cystine (Cys), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels were evaluated using appropriate kits. Ferroptotic markers, including Ptgs2, Chac1, SLC7A11, and SLC3A2, were analyzed by RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. ANO6 expression decreased in GIST tissues. ANO6-plasmid inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and promotes pyroptosis in GIST-T1 and GIST-T1 IR cells. The ANO6-plasmid induced ferroptosis, as confirmed by enhanced lipid ROS levels, increased intracellular concentrations of total iron and Fe2+, promoted Ptgs2 and Chac1 expression, reduced Cys, GSH, and GPX4 levels, and downregulated SLC7A11 and SLC3A2 expression after in vitro and in vivo treatment with ANO6-plasmid. Moreover, the ANO6-plasmid inhibited GIST growth in vivo. Therefore, ANO6 may be a promising therapeutic target for blocking the development of GIST via the induction of apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis.

Resveratrol protects cardiomyocytes against ischemia/reperfusion-induced ferroptosis via inhibition of the VDAC1/GPX4 pathway

The present study aimed to explore how resveratrol (Res) confers myocardial protection by attenuating ferroptosis. In vivo and in vitro myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) models were established, with or without Res pretreatment. The results showed that Res pretreatment effectively attenuated MIRI, as evidenced by increased cell viability, reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity, decreased infarct size, and maintained cardiac function. Moreover, Res pretreatment inhibited MIRI-induced ferroptosis, as shown by improved mitochondrial integrity, increased glutathione level, decreased prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 level, inhibited iron overload, and abnormal lipid peroxidation. Of note, Res pretreatment decreased or increased voltage-dependent anion channel 1/glutathione peroxidase 4 (VDAC1/GPX4) expression, which was increased or decreased via anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) treatment, respectively. However, the overexpression of VDAC1 via pAd/VDAC1 and knockdown of GPX4 through Si-GPX4 reversed the protective effect of Res in A/R-induced H9c2 cells, whereas the inhibition of GPX4 with RSL3 abolished the protective effect of Res on mice treated with ischemia/reperfusion.Interestingly, knockdown of VDAC1 by Si-VDAC1 promoted the protective effect of Res on A/R-induced H9c2 cells and the regulation of GPX4. Finally, the direct interaction between VDAC1 and GPX4 was determined using co-immunoprecipitation. In conclusion, Res pretreatment could protect the myocardium against MIRI-induced ferroptosis via the VDAC1/GPX4 signaling pathway.

Dapagliflozin attenuates LPS-induced myocardial injury by reducing ferroptosis

Septic cardiomyopathy is a severe cardiovascular disease with a poor prognosis. Previous studies have reported the involvement of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of septic cardiomyopathy. SGLT2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin have been demonstrated to improve ischemia-reperfusion injury by alleviating ferroptosis in cardiomyocyte. However, the role of dapagliflozin in sepsis remains unclear. Therefore, our study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of dapagliflozin on LPS-induced septic cardiomyopathy. Our results indicate that dapagliflozin improved cardiac function in septic cardiomyopathy experimental mice. Mechanistically, dapagliflozin works by inhibiting the translation of key proteins involved in ferroptosis, such as GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11. It also reduces the transcription of lipid peroxidation-related mRNAs, including PTGS2 and ACSL4, as well as iron metabolism genes TFRC and HMOX1.

Nanodrug Delivery Systems for Myasthenia Gravis: Advances and Perspectives

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare chronic autoimmune disease caused by the production of autoantibodies against the postsynaptic membrane receptors present at the neuromuscular junction. This condition is characterized by fatigue and muscle weakness, including diplopia, ptosis, and systemic impairment. Emerging evidence suggests that in addition to immune dysregulation, the pathogenesis of MG may involve mitochondrial damage and ferroptosis. Mitochondria are the primary site of energy production, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated due to mitochondrial dysfunction can induce ferroptosis. Nanomedicines have been extensively employed to treat various disorders due to their modifiability and good biocompatibility, but their application in MG management has been rather limited. Nevertheless, nanodrug delivery systems that carry immunomodulatory agents, anti-oxidants, or ferroptosis inhibitors could be effective for the treatment of MG. Therefore, this review focuses on various nanoplatforms aimed at attenuating immune dysregulation, restoring mitochondrial function, and inhibiting ferroptosis that could potentially serve as promising agents for targeted MG therapy.

Transcriptome sequencing analysis reveals miR-30c-5p promotes ferroptosis in cervical cancer and inhibits growth and metastasis of cervical cancer xenografts by targeting the METTL3/KRAS axis

Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the female reproductive system worldwide, and its molecular mechanisms remain complex and poorly understood. Various techniques, including transcriptome sequencing, RT-qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence, Western blot, CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, and xenograft models, were employed to investigate gene/miRNA expression, cellular proliferation, migration, and the interactions between miR-30c-5p, METTL3, and KRAS. Our transcriptome sequencing results demonstrated a significant downregulation of miR-30c-5p in cervical cancer cells. Further investigations using RNA pull-down, dual-luciferase reporter assay, Me-RIP, and PAR-CLIP confirmed METTL3 as one of the downstream targets of miR-30c-5p, while KRAS was identified as an iron-death suppressor gene susceptible to m6A modification. Notably, our Me-RIP analysis demonstrated the involvement of METTL3 in m6A modification of KRAS. In vitro experiments revealed that miR-30c-5p facilitated ferroptosis in cervical cancer cells by inhibiting the METTL3/KRAS axis, thus suppressing proliferation and migration. Additionally, in vivo studies demonstrated that miR-30c-5p repressed the growth and metastasis of cervical cancer xenografts through the inhibition of the METTL3/KRAS axis. Overall, this study highlights the critical role of miR-30c-5p in modulating cervical cancer progression by targeting the METTL3/KRAS axis, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cervical cancer growth and metastasis.

Association between plasma metal exposure and health span in very elderly adults: a prospective cohort study with mixture statistical approach

BACKGROUND

Metals have been linked to a diverse spectrum of age-related diseases; however, the effects of metal exposure on health span remains largely unknown. This cohort study aims to determine the association between plasma metal and health span in elder adults aged ≥ 90 years.

METHODS

The plasma concentrations of seven metals were measured at baseline in 300 elder adults. The end of the health span (EHS) was identified as the occurrence of one of eight major morbidities or mortality events. We used Cox regression to assess hazard ratios (HR). The combined effects of multiple metal mixtures were estimated using grouped-weighted quantile sum (GWQS), quantile g-computation (Q-gcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) methods.

RESULTS

The estimated HR for EHS with an inter-quartile range (IQR) increment for selenium (Se) was 0.826 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.737-0.926); magnesium (Mg), 0.806 (95% CI: 0.691-0.941); iron (Fe), 0.756 (95% CI: 0.623-0.917), and copper (Cu), 0.856 (95% CI: 0.750-0.976). The P for trend of Se, Mg, and Fe were all < 0.05. In the mixture analyses, Q-gcomp showed a negative correlation with EHS (P = 0.904), with the sum of the negative coefficients being -0.211.

CONCLUSION

Higher plasma Se, Mg, and Fe reduced the risk of premature end of health span, suggesting that essential metal elements played a role in health maintenance in elder adults.

Redox homeostasis in cardiac fibrosis: Focus on metal ion metabolism

Cardiac fibrosis is a major public health problem worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality, affecting almost all patients with heart disease worldwide. It is characterized by fibroblast activation, abnormal proliferation, excessive deposition, and abnormal distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The maladaptive process of cardiac fibrosis is complex and often involves multiple mechanisms. With the increasing research on cardiac fibrosis, redox has been recognized as an important part of cardiac remodeling, and an imbalance in redox homeostasis can adversely affect the function and structure of the heart. The metabolism of metal ions is essential for life, and abnormal metabolism of metal ions in cells can impair a variety of biochemical processes, especially redox. However, current research on metal ion metabolism is still very limited. This review comprehensively examines the effects of metal ion (iron, copper, calcium, and zinc) metabolism-mediated redox homeostasis on cardiac fibrosis, outlines possible therapeutic interventions, and addresses ongoing challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

Emerging regulatory mechanisms in cardiovascular disease: Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and other types of cell death, is a novel iron-dependent regulated cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides and redox imbalance with distinct morphological, biochemical, and genetic features. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis, the disruption of antioxidative stress pathways and lipid peroxidation are crucial in ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and heart failure. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that regulate ferroptosis in cardiovascular diseases will enhance the prevention and treatment of these diseases. This review discusses the latest findings on the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its regulation in cardiovascular diseases, the application of ferroptosis modulators in cardiovascular diseases, and the role of traditional Chinese medicines in ferroptosis regulation to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and identify new prevention and treatment options.

Exploring the molecular biology of ischemic cardiomyopathy based on ferroptosis‑related genes

Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is a serious cardiac disease with a very high mortality rate worldwide, which causes myocardial ischemia and hypoxia as the main damage. Further understanding of the underlying pathological processes of cardiomyocyte injury is key to the development of cardioprotective strategies. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides to lethal levels, resulting in oxidative damage to the cell membrane. The current understanding of the role and regulation of ferroptosis in ICM is still limited, especially in the absence of evidence from large-scale transcriptomic data. Through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of human ICM transcriptome data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, the present study identified differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DEFRGs) in ICM. Subsequently, their potential biological mechanisms and cross-talk were analyzed, and hub genes were identified by constructing protein-protein interaction networks. Ferroptosis features such as reactive oxygen species generation, changes in ferroptosis marker proteins, iron ion aggregation and lipid oxidation, were identified in the H9c2 anoxic reoxygenation injury model. Finally, the diagnostic ability of Gap junction alpha-1 (GJA1), Solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1), Alpha-synuclein (SNCA) were identified through receiver operating characteristic curves and the expression of DEFRGs was verified in an in vitro model. Furthermore, potential drugs (retinoic acid) that could regulate ICM ferroptosis were predicted based on key DEFRGs. The present article presents new insights into the role of ferroptosis in ICM, investigating the regulatory role of ferroptosis in the pathological process of ICM and advocating for ferroptosis as a potential novel therapeutic target for ICM based on evidence from the ICM transcriptome.

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule improves myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 axis

INTRODUCTION

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule (ZL) is a Chinese medicine used for the treatment of cardio-cerebral diseases. However, the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its regulation of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) remain unclear.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of ZL on MI/RI in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham group, I/R group, ZL group, and ZLY group. The MI/RI mouse model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 120 minutes to restore blood perfusion. Cardiac function was evaluated using cardiac ultrasound. Histopathological changes and myocardial infarction area were assessed using Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The changes in oxidative stress- and ferroptosis-related markers were detected. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA were conducted to further explore the mechanism of ZL in improving MI/RI.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrated that ZL exerted a protective effect against MI/RI by inhibiting ferroptosis, evidenced by the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes such as GSH and GPX4, coupled with the downregulation of ACSL4, a pro-ferroptosis factor. Furthermore, ZL positively impacted the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway by promoting ATPase activities and enhancing the relative protein expression of its components. Notably, the administration of a PI3K/AKT inhibitor reversed the antioxidant and anti-ferroptosis effects of ZL to some extent, suggesting a potential role for this pathway in mediating ZL's protective effects.

CONCLUSIONS

ZL protects against MI/RI-induced ferroptosis by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to increased Nrf2 expression and activation of the HO-1/GPX4 pathway. These findings shed light on the potential therapeutic mechanisms of ZL in the context of cardiovascular diseases.

Peptides Are Cardioprotective Drugs of the Future: The Receptor and Signaling Mechanisms of the Cardioprotective Effect of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

The high mortality rate among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the main problems of modern cardiology. It is quite obvious that there is an urgent need to create more effective drugs for the treatment of AMI than those currently used in the clinic. Such drugs could be enzyme-resistant peptide analogs of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists can prevent ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) cardiac injury. In addition, chronic administration of GLP1R agonists can alleviate the development of adverse cardiac remodeling in myocardial infarction, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. GLP1R agonists can protect the heart against oxidative stress and reduce proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1) expression in the myocardium. GLP1R stimulation inhibits apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis of cardiomyocytes. The activation of the GLP1R augments autophagy and mitophagy in the myocardium. GLP1R agonists downregulate reactive species generation through the activation of Epac and the GLP1R/PI3K/Akt/survivin pathway. The GLP1R, kinases (PKCε, PKA, Akt, AMPK, PI3K, ERK1/2, mTOR, GSK-3β, PKG, MEK1/2, and MKK3), enzymes (HO-1 and eNOS), transcription factors (STAT3, CREB, Nrf2, and FoxO3), KATP channel opening, and MPT pore closing are involved in the cardioprotective effect of GLP1R agonists.

Lipid metabolism disorder in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a significant complication associated with diabetes mellitus, presents limited treatment options. The progression of DKD is marked by substantial lipid disturbances, including alterations in triglycerides, cholesterol, sphingolipids, phospholipids, lipid droplets, and bile acids (BAs). Altered lipid metabolism serves as a crucial pathogenic mechanism in DKD, potentially intertwined with cellular ferroptosis, lipophagy, lipid metabolism reprogramming, and immune modulation of gut microbiota (thus impacting the liver-kidney axis). The elucidation of these mechanisms opens new potential therapeutic pathways for DKD management. This research explores the link between lipid metabolism disruptions and DKD onset.

An integrated view of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity: characteristics, common molecular mechanisms, and current clinical management

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapy drug widely prescribed to treat various neoplasms. Although fundamental for the therapeutic action of the drug, its cytotoxic mechanisms trigger adverse effects in several tissues, such as the kidney, liver, and heart, which limit its clinical use. In this sense, studies point to an essential role of damage to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the pathophysiology of tissue injuries. Due to the limitation of effective preventive and therapeutic measures against CP-induced toxicity, new strategies with potential cytoprotective effects have been studied. Therefore, this article is timely in reviewing the characteristics and main molecular mechanisms common to renal, hepatic, and cardiac toxicity previously described, in addition to addressing the main validated strategies for the current management of these adverse events in clinical practice. We also handle the main promising antioxidant substances recently presented in the literature to encourage the development of new research that consolidates their potential preventive and therapeutic effects against CP-induced cytotoxicity.

Heavy Metal Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease

Heavy metals are harmful environmental pollutants that have attracted widespread attention due to their health hazards to human cardiovascular disease. Heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium, are found in various sources such as air, water, soil, food, and industrial products. Recent research strongly suggests a connection between cardiovascular disease and exposure to toxic heavy metals. Epidemiological, basic, and clinical studies have revealed that heavy metals can promote the production of reactive oxygen species, which can then exacerbate reactive oxygen species generation and induce inflammation, resulting in endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism distribution, disruption of ion homeostasis, and epigenetic changes. Over time, heavy metal exposure eventually results in an increased risk of hypertension, arrhythmia, and atherosclerosis. Strengthening public health prevention and the application of chelation or antioxidants, such as vitamins and beta-carotene, along with minerals, such as selenium and zinc, can diminish the burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to metal exposure.

Nanosponge for Iron Chelation and Efflux: A Ferroptosis-Inhibiting Approach for Myocardial Infarction Therapy

Myocardial infarction (MI), a consequence of coronary artery occlusion, triggers the degradation of ferritin, resulting in elevated levels of free iron in the heart and thereby inducing ferroptosis. Targeting myocardial ferroptosis through the chelation of excess iron has therapeutic potential for MI treatment. However, iron chelation in post ischemic injury areas using conventional iron-specific chelators is hindered by ineffective myocardial intracellular chelation, rapid clearance, and high systemic toxicity. A chitosan-desferrioxamine nanosponge (CDNS) is designed by co-crosslinking chitosan and deferoxamine through noncovalent gelation to address these challenges. This architecture facilitates direct iron chelation regardless of deferoxamine (DFO) release due to its sponge-like porous hydrogel structure. Upon cellular internalization, CDNS can effectively chelate cellular iron and facilitate the efflux of captured iron, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and associated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. In MI mouse models, myocardial injection of CDNS promotes sustainable retention and the suppression of ferroptosis in the infarcted heart. This intervention improves cardiac function and alleviates adverse cardiac remodeling post-MI, leading to decreased oxidative stress and the promotion of angiogenesis due to ferroptosis inhibition by CDNS in the infarcted heart. This study reveals a nanosponge-based nanomedicine targeting myocardial ferroptosis with efficient iron chelation and efflux, offering a promising MI treatment.

The role of ferroptosis as a regulator of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke

Ferroptosis is a unique form of cell death that was first described in 2012 and plays a significant role in various diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions. It depends on a dysregulation of cellular iron metabolism, which increases free, redox-active, iron that can trigger Fenton reactions, generating hydroxyl radicals that damage cells through oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxides, resulting mainly from unsaturated fatty acids, damage cells by disrupting membrane integrity and propagating cell death signals. Moreover, lipid peroxide degradation products can further affect cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and amines. In ischemic stroke, where blood flow to the brain is restricted, there is increased iron absorption, oxidative stress, and compromised blood-brain barrier integrity. Imbalances in iron-transport and -storage proteins increase lipid oxidation and contribute to neuronal damage, thus pointing to the possibility of brain cells, especially neurons, dying from ferroptosis. Here, we review the evidence showing a role of ferroptosis in ischemic stroke, both in recent studies directly assessing this type of cell death, as well as in previous studies showing evidence that can now be revisited with our new knowledge on ferroptosis mechanisms. We also review the efforts made to target ferroptosis in ischemic stroke as a possible treatment to mitigate cellular damage and death.

miR-29b-1-5p exacerbates myocardial injury induced by sepsis in a mouse model by targeting TERF2

Myocardial damage is a critical complication and a significant contributor to mortality in sepsis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key players in sepsis pathogenesis. In this study, we explore the effect and mechanisms of miR-29b-1-5p on sepsis-induced myocardial damage. Sepsis-associated Gene Expression Omnibus datasets (GSE72380 and GSE29914) are examined for differential miRNAs. The mouse sepsis-induced cardiac injury was established by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). LPS-treated HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes simulate myocardial injury in vitro. miR-29b-1-5p is co-upregulated in both datasets and in cardiac tissue from sepsis mouse and HL-1 cell models. miR-29b-1-5p expression downregulation was achieved by antagomir transduction and confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Survival analysis and echocardiography examination show that miR-29b-1-5p inhibition improves mice survival cardiac function in LPS- and CLP-induced sepsis mice. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining and Immunohistochemistry analysis of mouse myocardial α-smooth muscle actin show that miR-29b-1-5p inhibition reduces myocardial tissue injury and fibrosis. The inflammatory cytokines and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in mouse serum and HL-1 cells are also decreased by miR-29b-1-5p inhibition, as revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of autophagy-lysosomal pathway-related and apoptosis-related proteins in the mouse cardiac tissues and HL-1 cells are evaluated by western blot analysis. The sepsis-induced activation of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway and apoptosis are also reversed by miR-29b-1-5p antagomir. MTT and flow cytometry measurement further confirm the protective role of miR-29b-1-5p antagomir in HL-1 cells by increasing cell viability and suppressing cell apoptosis. Metascape functionally enriches TargetScan-predicted miR-29b-1-5p target genes. TargetScan prediction and dual luciferase assay validate the targeting relationship between miR-29b-1-5p and telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 (TERF2). The expression and function of TERF2 in HL-1 cells and mice are also evaluated. MiR-29b-1-5p negatively regulates the target gene TERF2. TERF2 knockdown partly restores miR-29b-1-5p antagomir function in LPS-stimulated HL-1 cells. In summary, miR-29b-1-5p targetedly inhibits TERF2, thereby enhancing sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

Research advances on molecular mechanism and natural product therapy of iron metabolism in heart failure

The progression of heart failure (HF) is complex and involves multiple regulatory pathways. Iron ions play a crucial supportive role as a cofactor for important proteins such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, oxidative respiratory chain, and DNA synthetase, in the myocardial energy metabolism process. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that HF is associated with iron dysmetabolism, and deficiencies in iron and overload of iron can both lead to the development of various myocarditis diseases, which ultimately progress to HF. Iron toxicity and iron metabolism may be key targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HF. Some iron chelators (such as desferrioxamine), antioxidants (such as ascorbate), Fer-1, and molecules that regulate iron levels (such as lactoferrin) have been shown to be effective in treating HF and protecting the myocardium in multiple studies. Additionally, certain natural compounds can play a significant role by mediating the imbalance of iron-related signaling pathways and expression levels. Therefore, this review not only summarizes the basic processes of iron metabolism in the body and the mechanisms by which they play a role in HF, with the aim of providing new clues and considerations for the treatment of HF, but also summarizes recent studies on natural chemical components that involve ferroptosis and its role in HF pathology, as well as the mechanisms by which naturally occurring products regulate ferroptosis in HF, with the aim of providing reference information for the development of new ferroptosis inhibitors and lead compounds for the treatment of HF in the future.