Discovery and validation of Ferroptosis-related molecular patterns and immune characteristics in Alzheimer's disease

Integrative analyses and validation of ferroptosis-related genes and mechanisms associated with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular ischemic diseases

BACKGROUND

There has been a gradual increase in the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic diseases, particularly as comorbidities. Yet, the mechanisms underlying these diseases remain unclear. Ferroptosis has emerged as a potential contributor to cardio-cerebral ischemic processes. Therefore, this study investigated the shared biological mechanisms between the two processes, as well as the role of ferroptosis genes in cardio-cerebral ischemic damage, by constructing co-expression modules for myocardial ischemia (MI) and ischemic stroke (IS) and a network of protein-protein interactions, mRNA-miRNA, mRNA-transcription factors (TFs), mRNA-RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and mRNA-drug interactions.

RESULTS

The study identified seven key genes, specifically ACSL1, TLR4, ADIPOR1, G0S2, PDK4, HP, PTGS2, and subjected them to functional enrichment analysis during ischemia. The predicted miRNAs were found to interact with 35 hub genes, and interactions were observed between 11 hub genes and 30 TF transcription factors. Additionally, 10 RBPs corresponding to 16 hub genes and 163 molecular compounds corresponding to 30 hub genes were identified. This study also clarified the levels of immune infiltration between MI and IS and different subtypes. Finally, we identified four hub genes, including TLR4, by using a diagnostic model constructed by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analysis; ADIPOR1, G0S2, and HP were shown to have diagnostic value for the co-pathogenesis of MI and cerebral ischemia by both validation test data and RT-qPCR assay.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best our knowledge, this study is the first to utilize multiple algorithms to comprehensively analyze the biological processes of MI and IS from various perspectives. The four hub genes, TLR4, ADIPOR1, G0S2, and HP, have proven valuable in offering insights for the investigation of shared injury pathways in cardio-cerebral injuries. Therefore, these genes may serve as diagnostic markers for cardio-cerebral ischemic diseases.

The inhibition of ORMDL3 prevents Alzheimer's disease through ferroptosis by PERK/ATF4/HSPA5 pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with high incidence and widespread attention. There is currently no clear clarification of the pathogenesis. However, ORMDL3 causes ferroptosis in AD, and the potential mechanisms remain unclear. So, this study explore the function of ORMDL3 on ferroptosis in AD and its potential regulatory mechanisms. APPswe/PS1dE9 mice and C57BL/6 mice were induced into the mice model. The murine microglial BV-2 cells also were induced into the vitro model. In serum samples of AD patients, ORMDL3 mRNA expression levels were upregulated. The serum ORMDL3 levels expression was positively related to the ADL score or MoCA score in AD patients. The serum ORMDL3 expression level was positively related to MMSE score or Hcy levels in AD patients. The mRNA expression of ORMDL3 in the hippocampal tissue of the mice model of AD was upregulated at one, four and eight months. The protein expression of ORMDL3 was upregulated in the mice model of AD. ORMDL3 promoted Alzheimer's disease, and increased oxidative response and ferroptosis in a model of AD. PERK/ATF4/HSPA5 pathway is one important signal pathway for the effects of ORMDL3 in a model of AD. Collectively, these data suggested that ORMDL3 promoted oxidative response and ferroptosis in a model of AD by the PERK/ATF4/HSPA5 pathway, which might be a novel target spot mechanism of ferroptosis in AD and may serve as a regulator of AD-induced ferroptosis.