Cadmium exposure promotes ferroptosis by upregulating Heat Shock Protein 70 in vascular endothelial damage of zebrafish

Cadmium exposure induces inflammation, oxidative stress and DNA damage in HUVEC and promotes THP-1 adhesion: A possible mechanism on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque

Observational studies have shown that cadmium exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Atherosclerotic plaque can cause vascular obstruction, which is important for the death from cardiovascular disease. Cell damage and monocyte adhesion are two early events in atherosclerotic plaque formation that can be induced by cadmium exposure, but the mechanism remains to be determined. This study was carried out to investigate the toxicity of cadmium in HUVECs and the effect of cadmium on the adhesion of THP-1 cells, and further explored the possible mechanisms. Rhodamine staining, DCFH-DA staining, Hoechst33258 staining, morphological observation and western blot were used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS, apoptosis, cell adhesion, signaling pathways and cell adhesion factors respectively. The results indicated that cadmium exposure increased the level of ROS, activated MAPK signaling pathway and resulted in cellular oxidative stress in HUVECs. Exposure to cadmium made nuclear shrinkage, activated DNA damage response pathways and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway in HUVECs. Cadmium exposure activated the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway, led to the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in HUVECs. In addition, cadmium exposure also upregulated the adhesion factors including ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-Selectin via NF-κB signaling pathway and resulted in the adhesion of THP-1 cells. The present study elucidated that cadmium could damage the HUVECs and promote the adhesion of THP-1 cells, which clarified the toxicity of cadmium in HUVECs and revealed the possible mechanism for the occurrence of cardiovascular disease induced by cadmium.

HMGA1 influence on iron-induced cell death in Tfh cells of SLE patients

The autoimmune disorder known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) exhibits intricate features with abnormal immune responses leading to tissue injury. The generation of antibodies and the disruption of immune regulation heavily depend on the pivotal function of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Iron dysregulation is significant in autoimmune diseases, impacting immune cell function and disease progression. Our study investigates the role of the HMGA1/EZH2/STAT3/GPX4 axis in modulating Tfh cells and iron homeostasis in SLE. Abnormal Tfh cell populations in SLE patients demonstrate reduced susceptibility to iron-induced cell death, with HMGA1 identified as a key player in Tfh cell proliferation and sensitivity to iron-induced death. Experimental interventions reveal the inhibitory role of the HMGA1 axis in Tfh cells' susceptibility to iron-induced death, suggesting therapeutic avenues for SLE and related autoimmune disorders. Our study underscores the importance of iron homeostasis in autoimmune conditions, providing novel insights and treatment strategies for further research in this field.

Effect of cadmium and fumonisin B1 co-exposure on mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a typical mycotoxin that widely contaminates food crops and their products and is known to be neurotoxic. In diverse dietary patterns, organisms are at risk of co-exposure to FB1 and the heavy metal cadmium (Cd), but how Cd affects the toxic damaging effects of FB1 is unknown. Therefore, this study explored the potential mechanism of co-exposure of Cd and FB1 using a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model. Our findings indicate that co-exposure with FB1 (200 μg/mL) and Cd (25, 100, and 200 μg/mL) for 24 h significantly aggravated oxidative stress damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in dose-dependent. This included abnormal expression of mitochondrial membrane proteins and disruptions in the division and fusion processes of mitochondria. Moreover, the co-exposure to Cd and FB1 induced ferroptosis, characterized by abnormally high levels of unstable ferrous iron and alterations in the expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes such as aat-9, acs-17, gpx-1, ftn-1, and frh-1. Collectively, these results underscore the aggravating effect of combined exposure to FB1 and Cd on mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis pathways in C. elegans. This study offers a novel perspective for exploring the mixture toxicity between FB1 and Cd.

Plin4 exacerbates cadmium-decreased testosterone level via inducing ferroptosis in testicular Leydig cells

Strong evidence indicates that environmental stressors are the risk factors for male testosterone deficiency (TD). However, the mechanisms of environmental stress-induced TD remain unclear. Based on our all-cause male reproductive cohort, we found that serum ferrous iron (Fe2⁺) levels were elevated in TD donors. Then, we explored the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in environmental stress-reduced testosterone levels through in vivo and in vitro models. Data demonstrated that ferroptosis and lipid droplet deposition were observed in environmental stress-exposed testicular Leydig cells. Pretreatment with ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), a specific ferroptosis inhibitor, markedly mitigated environmental stress-reduced testosterone levels. Through screening of core genes involved in lipid droplets formation, it was found that environmental stress significantly increased the levels of perilipins 4 (PLIN4) protein and mRNA in testicular Leydig cells. Further experiments showed that Plin4 siRNA reversed environmental stress-induced lipid droplet deposition and ferroptosis in Leydig cells. Additionally, environmental stress increased the levels of METTL3, METTL14, and total RNA m6A in testicular Leydig cells. Mechanistically, S-adenosylhomocysteine, an inhibitor of METTL3 and METTL14 heterodimer activity, restored the abnormal levels of Plin4, Fe2⁺ and testosterone in environmental stress-treated Leydig cells. Collectively, these results suggest that Plin4 exacerbates environmental stress-decreased testosterone level via inducing ferroptosis in testicular Leydig cells.

Cardiotoxicity of Cadmium and Its Effects on Heart Efficiency During Early and Late Chick Embryogenesis

Cadmium (Cd) is a dangerous heavy metal that is non-degradable in the environment. Many organs can accumulate Cd and adversely affect organ function and health. Cd is considered as a teratogenic and embryotoxic agent. This study aims to evaluate the teratogenicity of Cd at concentrations lesser than the permissible and its effects on the heart during chick embryogenesis. Fertilized eggs of the chick Gallus domesticus were divided into; control, saline injected and four experimental groups injected with single doses of 5, 25, 50 or 75 µM of CdCl2. Histological observations of the heart before hatching and the cardiomyocytes after hatching were recorded. Morphometric measurements of heart chambers were achieved at 3, 4 and 6 days of incubation. Electrocardiograph and respiratory rate were recorded at tenth day. Different cardiac problems had been brought on by Cd. In comparison to controls, the heart looked much larger, and in certain cases, growth retardation was seen. Degeneration in heart walls and malformations of dorsal aorta were noticed. Morphometrically, the width and wall thickness of heart chambers showed significant changes. Heart beats and respiratory rate significantly decreased compared to control. The cardiotoxic effect of Cd on heart compartments structure and function was dose dependent. One of Cd toxicity is its ability to induce cellular oxidative stress. The heart in particular is sensitive to oxidative stress. Cardiac oxidative stress might intensify heart failure and promote disease progression. Calcium is one of the components that is needed for normal heart work. Cd might interfere with calcium metabolism by removing it from the body.

Tea polyphenols alleviate TBBPA-induced inflammation, ferroptosis and apoptosis via TLR4/NF-κB pathway in carp gills

The extensive application of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) leads to the pollution of part of the water environment and brings great safety risks to aquatic animals. As a natural extract, tea polyphenols (TPs) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Gills are one of the immune organs of fish and constitute the first line of defense of the immune system. However, it was unclear whether TPs could mitigate TBBPA-induced gills injury. Therefore, an animal model was established to investigate the effect of TPs on TBBPA-induced gills. The results indicated that TBBPA changed the coefficient and tissue morphology of carp gills. In addition, TBBPA induced oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to ferroptosis and apoptosis in carp gills. Dietary addition of TPs significantly improved the antioxidant capacity of carp, effectively inhibited the overexpression of TLR4/NF-κB and its mediated inflammatory response. Moreover, TPs restored iron metabolism, reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic factors thereby alleviating ferroptosis and apoptosis in carp gills. This study enriched the protective effect of TPs and provided a new way to improve the innate immunity of carp.