Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathogenesis and diverse clinical manifestations. Currently, there is no specific treatment plan. Programmed cell death is an active and orderly way of cell death controlled by genes in the body, which maintains the homeostasis of the body and the development of organs and tissues by participating in various molecular signaling pathways. In recent years, programmed cell death has played an important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of IgAN, involving complex signaling pathways. Under pathological conditions, it may relieve kidney damage through various pathways such as reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation, and improving energy metabolism. This article provides a review of the research progress of IgAN in apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis,and cuproptosis in order to provide new therapeutic targets for IgAN.
ObjectiveTo understand the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis and its research progress and future prospects in pancreatic cancer. MethodThe relevant literature on the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis and its basic and clinical application in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer was retrievaled and reviewed. ResultsFerroptosis was a non-apoptotic form of cell death that depended on iron aggregation, and its molecular biological features included iron ion overload, reactive oxygen species accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and so on. Ferroptosis was closely related to cell metabolism, and the imbalance of ferroptosis caused by abnormal metabolism also existed during the tumorigenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer, which in turn triggered the abnormal proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and leaded to their progression. By regulating the key molecular signaling pathways of ferroptosis, it was expected to find new drug targets and therapeutic pathways for pancreatic cancer treatment. The results of ferroptosis-related studies so far had shown the potential for future translational research in the field of pancreatic cancer treatment. ConclusionsThe mechanism of ferroptosis is of great value in pancreatic cancer research. At present, there are still many uncharted areas in the study of ferroptosis, and the molecular mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. In the future, as the study of ferroptosis continues, it is expected to provide new ideas for pancreatic cancer treatment and discover new targets for drug development.
ObjectiveTo construct a prognostic prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on disulfidptosis-associated genes (DAGs) and ferroptosis-associated genes (FAGs) using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases and explore the immune characteristics and antitumor drug sensitivity of HCC patients with high- and low-risk score. MethodsThe transcriptomic and clinical data of HCC were downloaded from the TCGA and ICGC databases. The expression levels of DAGs and FAGs were extracted. Subsequently, the differentially expressed and prognostically relevant DAGs and FAGs (DFAGs) were screened through differential expression and prognostic analysis. A prognostic prediction model for HCC was constructed by LASSO regression analysis. The prognostic value of risk factors was evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curves, principal component analysis, and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to further elucidate the mechanisms of genes associated with HCC prognosis. The impact of risk factors on immune cells and immune cells functions was analyzed using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. Based on the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database, the oncoPredict package was used to predict responses to antitumor drugs in for different risk groups. ResultsFour DFAGs (SLC7A11, SLC1A5, G6PD, and LRPPRC) with respective risk coefficients of 0.0350, 0.0442, 0.1597, and 0.0132 were selected to construct the prognostic prediction model. The risk score of prognostic prediction model was calculated as: Risk score =(0.0350×SLC7A11 expression level) + (0.0442×SLC1A5 expression level) + (0.159 7×G6PD expression level) + (0.013 2×LRPPRC expression level). The multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that a high-risk score was an independent risk factor for HCC patient survival [HR (95%CI) = 5.414 (1.918, 15.279), P<0.001]. Both TCGA and ICGC datasets demonstrated that the high-risk patients had significantly worse survival than low-risk patients (P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). Enrichment analysis revealed that the risk-associated genes influenced HCC progression through multiple pathways, such as immune response, cell cycle, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis. Immune analysis showed that the high-risk patients exhibited increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, such as activated dendritic cells, macrophages, and regulatory T cells, while natural killer cell infiltration was significantly reduced. The drug sensitivity analysis suggested that the high-risk HCC patients might respond better to 5-fluorouracil, afatinib, cyclophosphamide, and lapatinib, whereas the low-risk patients might benefit more from oxaliplatin and sorafenib. ConclusionsHCC prognosis prediction model based on DFAGs in this study suggests a certain predictive value for the survival of HCC patients in the data from both TCGA and ICGC datasets. There are significant differences in pionts of immune cells infiltration and immune cells functions between high-risk and low-risk HCC patients. Additionally, significant differences exist in sensitivity to targeted drugs and chemotherapeutic drugs. This model can provide some references for immunotherapy, personalized treatment, and prognosis evaluation of HCC patients.
Objective To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) in inhibiting Erastin-induced ferroptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanisms. Methods BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 8-week-old Spragur Dawley rats and identified [cell surface antigens CD90, CD44, and CD45 were analyzed by flow cytometry, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation abilities were assessed by alizarin red S (ARS) and oil red O staining, respectively]. Cells of passage 3 were used for the Erastin-induced ferroptosis model, with different concentrations of VPA for intervention. The optimal drug concentration was determined using the cell counting kit 8 assay. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: group A, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium for 24 hours; group B, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin for 24 hours; group C, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA for 24 hours; group D, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA, and 8 μmol/L EX527 for 24 hours. The mitochondrial state of the cells was evaluated, including the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Osteogenic capacity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ARS staining. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins [Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteopontin (OPN)], ferroptosis-related proteins [glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)], and pathway-related proteins [adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)]. Results The cultured cells were identified as BMSCs. VPA inhibited Erastin-induced ferroptosis and the decline of osteogenic ability in BMSCs, acting through the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. VPA significantly reduced the levels of ROS and MDA in Erastin-treated BMSCs and significantly increased GSH levels. Additionally, the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins (GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11) significantly decreased. VPA also upregulated the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins (RUNX2 and OPN), enhanced mineralization and osteogenic differentiation, and increased the expressions of pathway-related proteins (AMPK and SIRT1). These effects could be reversed by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527. ConclusionVPA inhibits ferroptosis in BMSCs through the AMPK/SIRT1 axis and promotes osteogenesis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Huaier extract on the proliferation, invasion, and ferroptosis pathways of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. MethodsThe CRC cell line SW620 was cultured in vitro, and the cells were treated with Huaier extract solution at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/mL). The cell counting kit 8 was used to detect the proliferation of CRC cells at different concentrations to scree the test dose of the Huaier extract. The Transwell and the scratch assays were used to detect the cell invasion and migration. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) kits were used to detect the cellular oxidative stress level. The Western blot was used to detect the ferroptosis-related proteins levels, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1). ResultsIn this study, it could statistically inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells after 48 h interfering with Huaier extract at 10, 20 mg/mL concentrations, so we chose 10, 20 mg/mL concentrations as the test dose, 0 mg/L as the control dose. Huaier extract effectively inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of SW620 cells in a dose-dependent manner (Transwell: F=480.0, P<0.001; scratch assay: F=24.3, P=0.001). The level of ROS in the SW620 cells increased with the increase of concentration in a dose-dependent manner (F=806.3, P<0.001). the level of GSH in the SW620 cells decreased with the increase of concentration in a dose-dependent manner (F=35.0, P=0.005), but the level of MDA was highest at 10 mg/mL (F=22.9, P=0.002) . Further the Huaier extract could effectively reduce the expressions of GPX4 (F=74.2, P<0.001), NRF2 (F=32.8, P=0.001), and HMGB1 (F=55.1, P<0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionFrom the results of this study, Huaier extract at 10 and 20 mg/mL concentrations can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of CRC SW620 cells by inducing ferroptosis.
Objective A series of bioinformatics methods were used to identify ferroptosis related biomarkers in lupus nephritis (LN). Methods We retrieved sequencing data of GSE112943 from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database and screened LN differentially expressed genes. We searched for ferroptosis-related gene (FRG) through FerrDb database, and screened LN-FRG. We conducted enrichment analysis on the LN-FRGs using David online bioinformatics database and screened the core LN-FRG using cytoHubba. We used external data sets to verify the core LN-FRGs, constructed competing endogenous RNA networks, and conducted molecular docking analysis. Results A total of 37 LN-FRGs were selected through screening. These genes are mainly enriched in inflammation, immune regulation and ferroptosis related signaling pathways. Through the cytoHubba and external dataset validation, the key core LN-FRG of ATF3 (activating transcription factor 3) was ultimately identified, and its expression was significantly increased in LN (P<0.05). Molecular docking analysis showed that ATF3 was closely bound to SLC7A11 and NRF2, and may participate in the occurrence and development of LN through the microRNA-27-ATF3 regulation axis. Conclusion The pivotal gene ATF3 may participate in the inflammation and immune injury of LN through ferroptosis.
Objective To identify genes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice base on bioinformatics and machine learning. Methods The acute lung injury dataset (GSE2411, GSE111241 and GSE18341) were download from the Gene Expression Database (GEO). Differential gene expression analysis was conducted. Gene ontology (GO) analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, GSEA enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis (PPI) network analysis were performed. LASSO-COX regression analysis and Support Vector Machine Expression Elimination (SVM-RFE) was utilized to identify key biomarkers. Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability. Validation was performed in GSE18341. Finally, CIBERSORT was used to analyze the composition of immune cells, and immunocorrelation analysis of biomarkers was performed. Results A total of 29 intersection DEGs were obtained after the intersection of GSE2411 and GSE111241 differentially expressed genes. Enrichment analysis showed that differential genes were mainly involved in interleukin-17, cytokine - cytokine receptor interaction, tumor necrosis factor and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. Machine learning combined with PPI identified Gpx2 and Ifi44 were key biomarkers. Gpx2 is a marker of ferroptosis and Ifi44 is an type I interferon-induced protein, both of which are involved in immune regulation. Immunocorrelation analysis showed that Gpx2 and Ifi44 were highly correlated with Neutrophils, TH17 and M1 macrophage cells. Conclusion Gpx2 and Ifi44 have potential immunomodulatory abilities, and may be potential biomarkers for predicting and treating ALI in mince.
Objective To investigate the regulatory role of PLA2G4A targeting in ferroptosis and its sensitizing effect on the ferroptosis inducer Erastin. Methods PLA2G4A expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) was assessed by analyzing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium databases, followed by immunohistochemical validation. PLA2G4A expression was knocked down in H1299 lung cancer cells using small interfering RNA. The correlation between PLA2G4A and ferroptosis marker genes was examined through gene correlation analysis and Western blotting. The regulatory relationship between PLA2G4A and ferrous ion (Fe2+) was analyzed using high-content fluorescence imaging. Cell proliferation after PLA2G4A inhibition and Erastin treatment was measured by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry and high-content fluorescence imaging were employed to evaluate the effects of PLA2G4A suppression combined with Erastin on intracellular Fe2+ and lipid peroxidation levels. Results Both mRNA (P<0.05) and protein (P<0.001) levels of PLA2G4A were significantly upregulated in LUAD tissues, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients (P<0.05). PLA2G4A expression was positively correlated with SLC7A11 expression (r=0.23, P<0.001). PLA2G4A knockdown suppressed SLC7A11 protein expression and increased cellular Fe2+ levels (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, PLA2G4A-silenced cells exhibited significantly reduced viability upon Erastin treatment (P<0.001). Furthermore, Erastin enhanced PLA2G4A targeting-induced Fe2+ accumulation and lipid peroxidation (P<0.001). Conclusion Targeting PLA2G4A induces ferroptosis in lung cancer cells by inhibiting SLC7A11 expression and enhances their sensitivity to Erastin.
ObjectiveTo summarize a comprehensive overview of the mechanism of ferroptosis and its associated microRNAs in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to offer novel insights and potential avenues for tumor marker screening and targeted treatment in clinical hepatocellular carcinoma patients. MethodThe literatures on the basic and clinical application research of ferroptosis and related microRNA in the occurrence, development and prognosis of HCC at home and abroad in recent years were reviewed and summarized, and the research progress of microRNA regulating ferroptosis in HCC was summarized. ResultsMicroRNA, a type of non-coding small RNA, had the ability to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional and translational levels. It held promising potential in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Ferroptosis, on the other hand, was a form of cell death triggered by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It played a crucial role in the development of HCC. A series of miRNAs related to ferroptosis might act as HCC growth regulators to regulate the growth of cancer cells, or reverse the drug resistance of cancer cells, thereby promoting or inhibiting the occurrence and progression of HCC. ConclusionsMicroRNA can regulate the occurrence and development of HCC through the ferroptosis pathway and may become tumor markers for the early diagnosis of HCC. Additionally, microRNA may also serve as a related therapeutic target and provide a new treatment option for HCC.
The morbidity and mortality of gallbladder cancer were rising. At present, there was no effective chemotherapy regimen, so it was of great practical significance to explore new therapy target. Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and metabolic constraints. In recent years, it had become a research hotspot. Many studies had been carried out on the relevant biological mechanisms such as liver cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other cancer. At present, there are still few studies on ferroptosis in gallbladder cancer, and its relevant mechanisms need further in-depth analysis, which opens up a new research direction for exploring the treatment of gallbladder cancer.