Autophagy-dependent ferroptosis in kidney disease

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.

Asymmetric silicon phthalocyanine based nanoparticle with spatiotemporally targeting of mitochondria for synergistic apoptosis-ferroptosis antitumor treatment

A promising therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment merges photodynamic therapy (PDT) induced apoptosis with ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death governed by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Given the pivotal role of mitochondria in ferroptosis, the development of photosensitizers that specifically provoke mitochondrial dysfunction and consequentially trigger ferroptosis via PDT is of significant interest. To this end, we have designed and synthesized a novel nanoparticle, termed FECTPN, tailored to address this requisite. FECTPN harnesses a trifecta of critical attributes: precision mitochondria targeting, photoactivation capability, pH-responsive drug release, and synergistic apoptosis-ferroptosis antitumor treatment. This nanoparticle was formulated by conjugating an asymmetric silicon phthalocyanine, Chol-SiPc-TPP, with the ferroptosis inducer Erastin onto a ferritin. The Chol-SiPc-TPP is a chemically crafted entity featuring cholesteryl (Chol) and triphenylphosphine (TPP) functionalities bonded axially to the silicon phthalocyanine, enhancing mitochondrial affinity and leading to effective PDT and subsequent apoptosis of cells. Upon cellular uptake, FECTPN preferentially localizes to mitochondria, facilitated by Chol-SiPc-TPP's targeting mechanics. Photoactivation induces the synchronized release of Chol-SiPc-TPP and Erastin in the mitochondria's alkaline domain, driving the escalation of both ROSs and lipid peroxidation. These processes culminate in elevated antitumor activity compared to the singular application of Chol-SiPc-TPP-mediated PDT. A notable observation is the pronounced enhancement in glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) expression within MCF-7 cells treated with FECTPN and subjected to light exposure, reflecting intensified oxidative stress. This study offers compelling evidence that FECTPN can effectively induce ferroptosis and reinforces the paradigm of a synergistic apoptosis-ferroptosis pathway in cancer therapy, proposing a novel route for augmented antitumor treatments.

A Matched-Cohort Analysis of Outcomes in Patients with Hereditary Hemochromatosis After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

BACKGROUND

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a common autosomal recessive disorder. This disease affects gut iron transport, leading to iron overload, which affects immune function, coagulation mechanics, and bone health. Within the spine, HH contributes to decreased bone mineral density and accelerated intervertebral disc degeneration. The purpose of this study was to discover the differences in the rates of common 90-day postoperative complications and 1-year and 2-year surgical outcomes in patients with and without HH after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

METHODS

Using the PearlDiver database, patients with active diagnoses of HH before ACDF were matched to patients without HH using a 1:5 ratio on the basis of age, sex, body mass index, and comorbidities. Postoperative complications were assessed at 90 days, and 1-year and 2-year surgical outcomes were assessed. All outcomes and complications were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression with significance achieved at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Patients with HH had significantly higher rates of 1-year and 2-year reoperation rates compared with patients without HH (29.19% vs. 3.94% and 37.1% vs. 5.93%, respectively; P < 0.001). The rates of 90-day postoperative complications significantly increased in patients with HH including dysphagia, pneumonia, cerebrovascular accident, deep vein thrombosis, acute kidney injury, urinary tract infection, hyponatremia, surgical site infection, iatrogenic deformity, emergency department visit, and hospital readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HH undergoing ACDF showed increased 90-day postoperative complications and significantly increased rates of 1-year and 2-year reoperation compared with patients without HH. These findings suggest that iron overload may contribute to adverse outcomes in patients with HH undergoing 1-level and 2-level ACDF.

The association between ferroptosis and autophagy in cardiovascular diseases

Autophagy is a process in which cells degrade intracellular substances and play a variety of roles in cells, such as maintaining intracellular homeostasis, preventing cell overgrowth, and removing pathogens. It is highly conserved during the evolution of eukaryotic cells. So far, the study of autophagy is still a hot topic in the field of cytology. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death, accompanied by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides. With the deepening of research, it has been found that ferroptosis, like autophagy, is involved in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between autophagy and ferroptosis is complex, and the association between the two in cardiovascular disease remains to be clarified. This article reviews the mechanism of autophagy and ferroptosis and their correlation, and discusses the relationship between them in cardiovascular diseases, which is expected to provide new and important treatment strategies for cardiovascular diseases.

Ferritinophagy: research advance and clinical significance in cancers

Ferritinophagy, a process involving selective autophagy of ferritin facilitated by nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), entails the recognition of ferritin by NCOA4 and subsequent delivery to the autophagosome. Within the autophagosome, ferritin undergoes degradation, leading to the release of iron in the lysosome. It is worth noting that excessive iron levels can trigger cell death. Recent evidence has elucidated the significant roles played by ferritinophagy and ferroptosis in regulation the initiation and progression of cancer. Given the crucial role of ferritinophagy in tumor biology, it may serve as a potential target for future anti-tumor therapeutic interventions. In this study, we have provided the distinctive features of ferritinophagy and its distinctions from ferroptosis. Moreover, we have briefly examined the fundamental regulatory mechanisms of ferritinophagy, encompassing the involvement of the specific receptor NCOA4, the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and other pathways. Subsequently, we have synthesized the current understanding of the impact of ferritinophagy on cancer progression and its potential therapeutic applications, with a particular emphasis on the utilization of chemotherapy, nanomaterials, and immunotherapy to target the ferritinophagy pathway for anti-tumor purposes.

Iron, Ferroptosis, and Head and Neck Cancer

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent regulatory form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. It plays a critical role not only in promoting drug resistance in tumors, but also in shaping therapeutic approaches for various malignancies. This review aims to elucidate the relationship between ferroptosis and head and neck cancer treatment by discussing its conceptual framework, mechanism of action, functional aspects, and implications for tumor therapy. In addition, this review consolidates strategies aimed at improving the efficacy of head and neck cancer treatment through modulation of ferroptosis, herein serving as a valuable reference for advancing the treatment landscape for this patient population.

Emerging significance and therapeutic targets of ferroptosis: a potential avenue for human kidney diseases

Kidney diseases remain one of the leading causes of human death and have placed a heavy burden on the medical system. Regulated cell death contributes to the pathology of a plethora of renal diseases. Recently, with in-depth studies into kidney diseases and cell death, a new iron-dependent cell death modality, known as ferroptosis, has been identified and has attracted considerable attention among researchers in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases and therapeutics to treat them. The majority of studies suggest that ferroptosis plays an important role in the pathologies of multiple kidney diseases, such as acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease, and renal cell carcinoma. In this review, we summarize recently identified regulatory molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, discuss ferroptosis pathways and mechanisms of action in various kidney diseases, and describe the protective effect of ferroptosis inhibitors against kidney diseases, especially AKI. By summarizing the prominent roles of ferroptosis in different kidney diseases and the progress made in studying ferroptosis, we provide new directions and strategies for future research on kidney diseases. In summary, ferroptotic factors are potential targets for therapeutic intervention to alleviate different kidney diseases, and targeting them may lead to new treatments for patients with kidney diseases.