Mitochondria-mediated Ferroptosis in Diseases Therapy: From Molecular Mechanisms to Implications

SNORD3A Regulates STING Transcription to Promote Ferroptosis in Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) signifies a sudden and prolonged decline in kidney function characterized by tubular cell death and interstitial inflammation. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) play pivotal roles in oxidative stress and inflammation, and may play an important role in the AKI process, which remains elusive. an elevated expression of Snord3a is revealed in renal tubules in response to AKI and demonstrates that Snord3a deficiency alleviates renal injury in AKI mouse models. Notably, the deficiency of Snord3a exhibits a mitigating effect on the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-associated ferroptosis phenotypes and the progression of tubular injury. Mechanistically, Snord3a is shown to regulate the STING signaling axis via promoting STING gene transcription; administration of Snord3a antisense oligonucleotides establishes a significant therapeutic advantage in AKI mouse models. Together, the findings elucidate the transcription regulation mechanism of STING and the crucial roles of the Snord3a-STING axis in ferroptosis during AKI, underscoring Snord3a as a potential prognostic and therapeutic target for AKI.

Application of natural products in regulating ferroptosis in human diseases

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis is a type of cell death caused by excessive iron-induced peroxidation. It has been found to be involved in a variety of diseases, and natural products can be used to target ferroptosis in treatments. Natural products are biologically active compounds extracted or synthesized from nature. It is an important resource for the discovery of skeletons with a high degree of structural diversity and a wide range of bioactivities, which can be developed directly or used as a starting point for the optimization of new drugs.

PURPOSE

In this review, we aim to discuss the interactions between natural products and ferroptosis in the treatment of human diseases.

METHODS

Literature was searched in Pubmed, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases for the 11-year period from 2012 to 2023 using the search terms "natural products", "ferroptosis", "human disease", "neurodegenerative disease", "cardiovascular disease", and "cancer".

RESULTS

In this research, the roles of natural products and ferroptosis were investigated. We suggest that natural products, such as terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, and saponins, can be used in therapeutic applications for human diseases, as well as in ferroptosis. Additionally, the main mechanisms of ferroptosis were summarized and discussed. Furthermore, we propose that natural products can be utilized to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to ferroptosis, thus helping to overcome drug resistance and inhibit metastasis. Moreover, natural products have the potential to modulate the expression levels of ferroptosis-related factors. Finally, the future directions of this field were highlighted.

CONCLUSION

The potential of natural products which focus on ferroptosis to treat human illnesses, particularly cancer, is very encouraging for human wellbeing.

Disulfidptosis, A Novel Cell Death Pathway: Molecular Landscape and Therapeutic Implications

Programmed cell death is pivotal for several physiological processes, including immune defense. Further, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of developmental disorders and the onset of numerous diseases. Multiple modes of programmed cell death, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, have been identified, each with their own unique characteristics and biological implications. In February 2023, Liu Xiaoguang and his team discovered "disulfidptosis," a novel pathway of programmed cell death. Their findings demonstrated that disulfidptosis is triggered in glucose-starved cells exhibiting high expression of a protein called SLC7A11. Furthermore, disulfidptosis is marked by a drastic imbalance in the NADPH/NADP+ ratio and the abnormal accumulation of disulfides like cystine. These changes ultimately lead to the destabilization of the F-actin network, causing cell death. Given that high SLC7A11 expression is a key feature of certain cancers, these findings indicate that disulfidptosis could serve as the basis of innovative anti-cancer therapies. Hence, this review delves into the discovery of disulfidptosis, its underlying molecular mechanisms and metabolic regulation, and its prospective applications in disease treatment.

Molecular mechanisms of mitochondria-mediated ferroptosis: a potential target for antimalarial interventions

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by glutathione (GSH) depletion, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inactivation, and the build-up of lipotoxic reactive species. Ferroptosis-targeted induction is a promising therapeutic approach for addressing antimalarial drug resistance. In addition to being the primary source of intracellular energy supply and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondria actively participate in diverse forms of regulated cell death, including ferroptosis. Altered mitochondrial morphology and functionality are attributed to ferroptosis. Diverse mitochondria-related proteins and metabolic activities have been implicated in fine-tuning the action of ferroptosis inducers. Herein, we review recent progress in this evolving field, elucidating the numerous mechanisms by which mitochondria regulate ferroptosis and giving an insight into the role of the organelle in ferroptosis. Additionally, we present an overview of how mitochondria contribute to ferroptosis in malaria. Furthermore, we attempt to shed light on an inclusive perspective on how targeting malaria parasites' mitochondrion and attacking redox homeostasis is anticipated to induce ferroptosis-mediated antiparasitic effects.

The advancement of polysaccharides in disease modulation: Multifaceted regulation of programmed cell death

Programmed cell death (PCD), also known as regulatory cell death (RCD), is a process that occurs in all organisms and is closely linked to both normal physiological processes and disease states. Various signaling pathways, such as TP53, KRAS, NOTCH, hypoxia, and metabolic reprogramming, have been found to regulate RCD. Polysaccharides, which are essential natural products, have been the subject of extensive research in the fields of food, nutrition, and medicine due to their wide range of pharmacological effects. Studies have shown that polysaccharides have biological activities and the potential to target signal transduction pathways for the treatment of diseases. This paper provides a review of the mechanisms through which polysaccharides exert their therapeutic effects at different levels and explores the relationship between different types of RCD and human diseases. The aim of this review is to provide a theoretical basis for the further clinical use and application of polysaccharide bioactivities.

Solamargine Induces Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Apoptosis and Ferroptosis via Regulating STAT1/MTCH1 Axis

BACKGROUND

Solamargine (SM) has been shown to play anti-tumor role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of SM in HCC progression deserve further exploration.

METHODS

HCC cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by cell counting kit 8 assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry. Ferroptosis was evaluated by detecting the levels of Fe2+, iron, MDA, ROS and GSH in HCC cells. In addition, mitochondrial carrier 1 (MTCH1) mRNA level was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Western blot was used to test MTCH1 and signal transduction and activation of transcription 1 (STAT1) protein levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to analyze the interaction between STAT1 and MTCH1. A mouse xenograft model was also constructed to explore the role of SM in vivo.

RESULTS

SM could potentially suppress HCC cell growth by inducing ferroptosis. MTCH1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cells, and its silencing inhibited HCC cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis and ferroptosis. MTCH1 expression was reduced by SM, and its overexpression reversed SM-induced HCC cell apoptosis and ferroptosis. Furthermore, STAT1 facilitated MTCH1 transcription and promoted its expression. Besides, STAT1 expression could be reduced by SM, and its overexpression abolished the decreasing effect of SM on MTCH1 expression. In vivo, SM suppressed HCC tumor growth by reducing MTCH1 expression.

CONCLUSION

SM promoted HCC cell apoptosis and ferroptosis via the STAT1/MTCH1 axis.

Targeting ferroptosis with natural products in liver injury: new insights from molecular mechanisms to targeted therapies

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis is a brand-new type of controlled cell death that is distinguished by its reliance on iron and the production of lipid peroxidation. The role of ferroptosis in damaging liver disorders has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. One effective strategy to reduce liver damage is to target ferroptosis.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review is to clarify the connection between ferroptosis and liver damage and to look into the potential contribution of natural products to the clinical management of liver damage and the discovery of novel medications.

METHODS

To study the methods by which natural products operate on ferroptosis to cure liver damage and their main signaling pathways, we searched databases from the time of initial publication to August 2023 in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid, ScienceDirect, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The liver illness that each natural product treats is categorized and summarized. It's interesting to note that several natural compounds, such Artemether, Fucoidan sulfate, Curcumin, etc., have the benefit of having many targets and multiple pathways of action.

RESULTS

We saw that in human samples or animal models of liver injury, ferroptosis indicators were activated, lipid peroxidation levels were elevated, and iron inhibitors had the ability to reduce liver damage. Liver damage can be treated with natural products by regulating ferroptosis. This is mostly accomplished through the modulation of Nrf2-related pathways (e.g., Conclusions and Astaxanthin), biological enzymes like GPX4 and the SIRT family (e.g., Chrysophanol and Decursin), and transcription factors like P53 (e.g., Artemether and Zeaxanthin).

CONCLUSIONS

This review proposes a promising path for the therapeutic therapy of liver damage by providing a theoretical foundation for the management of ferroptosis utilizing natural ingredients.

Evidence based on Mendelian randomization: Causal relationship between mitochondrial biological function and lung cancer and its subtypes

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between mitochondrial biological function and lung cancer, including its subtypes, via MR.

METHODS

SNPs significantly associated with lung cancer and its subtypes were employed as instrumental variables. MR-Egger regression, simple mode, weighted mode, simple median, and weighted median, were utilized to determine the causal relationship between the exposure factor and the occurrence of lung cancer and its subtypes.

RESULTS

NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) flavoprotein 2 and transmembrane protein 70 were found to have a causal relationship with lung adenocarcinoma, acting as protective factors. The causal relationship between mitochondrial import inner membrane translocase subunit and NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) iron-sulfur protein 4 and small-cell lung cancer was established as a risk factor. NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 beta subcomplex subunit 8 exhibited a causal relationship with small-cell lung cancer, acting as a protective factor. Furthermore, NAD-dependent protein deacylase sirtuin-5 was causally linked to lung squamous cell carcinoma, serving as a protective factor. A funnel plot demonstrated the symmetrical distribution of the SNPs. Thew pleiotroy test (P > 0.05) and "leave-one-out" test validated the relative stability of the results.

CONCLUSION

This study established a causal relationship between mitochondrial biological function and lung cancer, including its subtypes.

A novel prognostic signature and immune microenvironment characteristics associated with disulfidptosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma based on single-cell RNA sequencing

Background: Disulfidptosis is a newly discovered form of regulated cell death. The research on disulfidptosis and tumor progression remains unclear. Our research aims to explore the relationship between disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) and the clinical outcomes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and its interaction on the tumor microenvironment. Methods: The single-cell RNA seq data of PTC was collected from GEO dataset GSE191288. We illustrated the expression patterns of disulfidptosis-related genes in different cellular components in thyroid cancer. LASSO analyses were performed to construct a disulfidptosis associated risk model in TCGA-THCA database. GO and KEGG analyses were used for functional analyses. CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithm helped with the immune infiltration estimation. qRT‒PCR and flow cytometry was performed to validate the hub gene expression and immune infiltration in clinical samples. Results: We clustered PTC scRNA seq data into 8 annotated cell types. With further DRGs based scoring analyses, we found endothelial cells exhibited the most relationship with disulfidptosis. A 4-gene risk model was established based on the expression pattern of DRGs related endothelial cell subset. The risk model showed good independent prognostic value in both training and validation dataset. Functional enrichment and genomic feature analysis exhibited the significant correlation between tumor immune infiltration and the signature. The results of flow cytometry and immune infiltration estimation showed the higher risk scores was related to immuno-suppressive tumor microenvironment in PTC. Conclusion: Our study exhibited the role of disulfidptosis based signature in the regulation of tumor immune microenvironment and the survival of PTC patients. A 4-gene prognostic signature (including SNAI1, STC1, PKHD1L1 and ANKRD37) was built on the basis of disulfidptosis related endothelial cells. The significance of clinical outcome and immune infiltration pattern was validated robustly.