scholarly journals Thymosin β4 Is an Endogenous Iron Chelator and Molecular Switcher of Ferroptosis

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 551
Author(s):  
Joanna I. Lachowicz ◽  
Giusi Pichiri ◽  
Marco Piludu ◽  
Sara Fais ◽  
Germano Orrù ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Thioredoxin Reductase ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Thymosin Β4 ◽  
Tissue Degeneration ◽  
Dependent Form ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Stress Related Genes

Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) was extracted forty years agofrom calf thymus. Since then, it has been identified as a G-actin binding protein involved in blood clotting, tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory processes. Tβ4 has also been implicated in tumor metastasis and neurodegeneration. However, the precise roles and mechanism(s) of action of Tβ4 in these processes remain largely unknown, with the binding of the G-actin protein being insufficient to explain these multi-actions. Here we identify for the first time the important role of Tβ4 mechanism in ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, which leads to neurodegeneration and somehow protects cancer cells against cell death. Specifically, we demonstrate four iron2+ and iron3+ binding regions along the peptide and show that the presence of Tβ4 in cell growing medium inhibits erastin and glutamate-induced ferroptosis in the macrophage cell line. Moreover, Tβ4 increases the expression of oxidative stress-related genes, namely BAX, hem oxygenase-1, heat shock protein 70 and thioredoxin reductase 1, which are downregulated during ferroptosis. We state the hypothesis that Tβ4 is an endogenous iron chelator and take part in iron homeostasis in the ferroptosis process. We discuss the literature data of parallel involvement of Tβ4 and ferroptosis in different human pathologies, mainly cancer and neurodegeneration. Our findings confronted with literature data show that controlled Tβ4 release could command on/off switching of ferroptosis and may provide novel therapeutic opportunities in cancer and tissue degeneration pathologies.

scholarly journals Thymosin β4 is an Endogenous Iron Chelator and Molecular Switcher of Ferroptosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna I. Lachowicz ◽  
Giusi Pichiri ◽  
Marco Piludu ◽  
Sara Fais ◽  
Germano Orrù ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Thioredoxin Reductase ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Thymosin Β4 ◽  
Tissue Degeneration ◽  
Dependent Form ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Stress Related Genes

Abstract Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) was extracted forty years ago 1 from calf thymus. Since then, it has been identified as a G-actin binding protein involved in blood clothing, tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory processes. Tβ4 has also been implicated in tumor metastasis and neurodegeneration. However, the precise roles and mechanism(s) of action of Tβ4 in these processes remain largely unknown, with the binding of the G-actin protein being insufficient to explain these multi-actions. Here we identify for the first time the important part of Tβ4 mechanism in ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, which leads to neurodegeneration and somehow protects cancer cells against cell death. Specifically, we demonstrate four iron2+and iron3+ binding regions along the peptide and show that the presence of Tβ4 in cell growing medium inhibits erastin and glutamate-induced ferroptosis in macrophage cell line. Moreover, Tβ4 increases the expression of oxidative stress-related genes, namely BAX, hem oxygenase-1, Heat shock protein 70 and Thioredoxin reductase 1, which are downregulated during ferroptosis. We state the hypothesis that Tβ4 is an endogenous iron chelator and take part of iron homeostasis in ferroptosis process. We discuss the literature data of parallel involvement of Tβ4 and ferroptosis in different human pathologies, mainly cancer and neurodegeneration. Our findings confronted with literature data shows that controlled Tβ4 release could command on/off switching of ferroptosis, and may provide novel therapeutic opportunities in pathologies of cancer and tissue degeneration.

Ferroptosis Is Regulated by Mitochondria in Neurodegenerative Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juepu Zhou ◽  
Yao Jin ◽  
Yuhong Lei ◽  
Tianyi Liu ◽  
Zheng Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Lipid Peroxide ◽  
Mitochondrial Damage ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Dependent Form

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a gradual decline in motor and/or cognitive function caused by the selective degeneration and loss of neurons in the central nervous system, but their pathological mechanism is still unclear. Previous research has revealed that many forms of cell death, such as apoptosis and necrosis, occur in neurodegenerative diseases. Research in recent years has noticed that there is a new type of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases: ferroptosis. An increasing body of literature provides evidence for an involvement of ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. Summary: In this article, we review a new form of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases: ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is defined as an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, which occurs through the lethal accumulation of lipid-based reactive oxygen species when glutathione-dependent lipid peroxide repair systems are compromised. Several salient and established features of neurodegenerative diseases (including lipid peroxidation and iron dyshomeostasis) are consistent with ferroptosis, which means that ferroptosis may be involved in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, as the center of energy metabolism in cells, mitochondria are also closely related to the regulation of iron homeostasis in the nervous system. At the same time, neurodegenerative diseases are often accompanied by degeneration of mitochondrial activity. Mitochondrial damage has been found to be involved in lipid peroxidation and iron dyshomeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases. Key Messages: Based on the summary of the related mechanisms of ferroptosis, we conclude that mitochondrial damage may affect neurodegenerative diseases by regulating many aspects of ferroptosis, including cell metabolism, iron dyshomeostasis, and lipid peroxidation.

EFFECT OF COLCHICINE AND ATORVASTATIN ON CELL DEATH MECHANISMS DURING INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES IN ATHEROSCHLEROSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnur Demircan ◽  
Sule Beyhan Ozdas ◽  
Demet Akin ◽  
Ozgur Kaplan ◽  
Sabri Demircan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Cell Death Mechanisms

scholarly journals Apoptosis and inflammation

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Haanen ◽  
I. Vermes
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Inflammatory Reaction ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Bodies ◽  
Accidental Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Inflammatory Processes

During the last few decades it has been recognized that cell death is not the consequence of accidental injury, but is the expression of a cell suicide programme. Kerr et al. (1972) introduced the term apoptosis. This form of cell death is under the influence of hormones, growth factors and cytokines, which depending upon the receptors present on the target cells, may activate a genetically controlled cell elimination process. During apoptosis the cell membrane remains intact and the cell breaks into apoptotic bodies, which are phagocytosed. Apoptosis, in contrast to necrosis, is not harmful to the host and does not induce any inflammatory reaction. The principal event that leads to inflammatory disease is cell damage, induced by chemical/physical injury, anoxia or starvation. Cell damage means leakage of cell contents into the adjacent tissues, resulting in the capillary transmigration of granulocytes to the injured tissue. The accumulation of neutrophils and release of enzymes and oxygen radicals enhances the inflammatory reaction. Until now there has been little research into the factors controlling the accumulation and the tissue load of granulocytes and their histotoxic products in inflammatory processes. Neutrophil apoptosis may represent an important event in the control of intlamtnation. It has been assumed that granulocytes disintegrate to apoptotic bodies before their fragments are removed by local macrophages. Removal of neutrophils from the inflammatory site without release of granule contents is of paramount importance for cessation of inflammation. In conclusion, apoptotic cell death plays an important role in inflammatory processes and in the resolution of inflammatory reactions. The facts known at present should stimulate further research into the role of neutrophil, eosinophil and macrophage apoptosis in inflammatory diseases.

scholarly journals Role of hepcidin in oxidative stress and cell death of cultured mouse renal collecting duct cells: protection against iron and sensitization to cadmium

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Probst ◽  
Johannes Fels ◽  
Bettina Scharner ◽  
Natascha A. Wolff ◽  
Eleni Roussa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Catalase Activity ◽  
Metal Ion ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Duct Cell ◽  
Plasmid Transfection

AbstractThe liver hormone hepcidin regulates systemic iron homeostasis. Hepcidin is also expressed by the kidney, but exclusively in distal nephron segments. Several studies suggest hepcidin protects against kidney damage involving Fe2+ overload. The nephrotoxic non-essential metal ion Cd2+ can displace Fe2+ from cellular biomolecules, causing oxidative stress and cell death. The role of hepcidin in Fe2+ and Cd2+ toxicity was assessed in mouse renal cortical [mCCD(cl.1)] and inner medullary [mIMCD3] collecting duct cell lines. Cells were exposed to equipotent Cd2+ (0.5–5 μmol/l) and/or Fe2+ (50–100 μmol/l) for 4–24 h. Hepcidin (Hamp1) was transiently silenced by RNAi or overexpressed by plasmid transfection. Hepcidin or catalase expression were evaluated by RT-PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting or immunofluorescence microscopy, and cell fate by MTT, apoptosis and necrosis assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using CellROX™ Green and catalase activity by fluorometry. Hepcidin upregulation protected against Fe2+-induced mIMCD3 cell death by increasing catalase activity and reducing ROS, but exacerbated Cd2+-induced catalase dysfunction, increasing ROS and cell death. Opposite effects were observed with Hamp1 siRNA. Similar to Hamp1 silencing, increased intracellular Fe2+ prevented Cd2+ damage, ROS formation and catalase disruption whereas chelation of intracellular Fe2+ with desferrioxamine augmented Cd2+ damage, corresponding to hepcidin upregulation. Comparable effects were observed in mCCD(cl.1) cells, indicating equivalent functions of renal hepcidin in different collecting duct segments. In conclusion, hepcidin likely binds Fe2+, but not Cd2+. Because Fe2+ and Cd2+ compete for functional binding sites in proteins, hepcidin affects their free metal ion pools and differentially impacts downstream processes and cell fate.

Abstract 263: Defective Autophagy Plays a Role in the Development of Angiotensin-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon C Johnson ◽  
Vy Nguyen ◽  
Anthony Castanza ◽  
Peter S Rabinovitch
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Tissue Imaging ◽  
Unit Structure ◽  
Tissue Degeneration ◽  
Cell Organization

While activated autophagy is a well reported feature of cardiac disease, the exact role of autophagy in the etiology and progression of cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction is unclear; activation of autophagy appears to play either pro-survival or pro-apoptotic functions depending on the context. Here we demonstrate that dysfunctional autophagy plays a role in the development of angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Using a live, ex-vivo tissue imaging technique and transgenic LC3-GFP expressing mice we found that after short term (1 week) treatment, autophagic markers accumulate in angiotensin treated mouse hearts and that in a small population of cells this accumulation reaches a critical level where normal cell organization, specifically mitochondrial localization and contractile unit structure, and tissue architecture are disrupted. These observations are reminiscent of genetic diseases associated with dysfunctional autophagy, such as inclusion body myositis, where autophagic vesicles fail to properly clear and lead to cell death and tissue degeneration. We suggest that failed autophagy contributes to pressure-overload induced hypertrophy and that the cell death associated with dramatically dysfunctional autophagy in a subset of cardiomyocytes precedes fibrosis. This work provides a clear role for dysfunctional autophagy in promoting hypertrophy and fibrosis, and supports the notion that the promotion of successful autophagy is a clinically relevant target for therapeutic intervention.

scholarly journals Sequence Analysis and Homology Modeling of NF2 Protein

2019 ◽  
pp. 373-377
Author(s):  
Vinod P. Sinoorkar ◽  
Pratiksha S. Thakurdas
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Neurofibromatosis 2 ◽  
Pancreatic Cell ◽  
Hippo Signaling Pathway ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Chronic Hyperglycemia

Diabetes is diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. In India more than 62 million individuals currently diagnosed with the diabetes. Diabetes is resulting from insulin deficiency or pancreatic cells become insulin resistant. Pancreatic cell (β-cell) death by apoptosis is one of main reason which results in diabetic condition in patients. Neurofibromatosis 2 is involved is β-cell death. Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2/Merlin) is a tumor suppressor protein, which belongs to the ezrin–radixin–moesin family of actin-binding proteins and regulates the Hippo signaling pathway in mammals and also involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Merlin regulates the Hippo signaling pathway by controlling the Hippo kinases cassettes MST1/2 and LATS1/2. Therefore, targeting β-cell apoptosis and dysfunction can be a therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetes. Hence our present investigation focus mainly to understand the detailed molecular features of NF2 by its protein sequence annotation by implementing tools and techniques of Bioinformatics.

scholarly journals Pivotal Role of Iron Homeostasis in the Induction of Mitochondrial Apoptosis by 6-Gingerol Through PTEN Regulated PD-L1 Expression in Embryonic Cancer Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nipin Sp ◽  
Dong Young Kang ◽  
Eun Seong Jo ◽  
Jin-Moo Lee ◽  
Se Won Bae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species Generation ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Molecular Signaling ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
P53 Signaling ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Anti Cancer

Embryonic cancer stem cells (CSCs) can differentiate into any cancer type. Targeting CSCs with natural compounds is a promising approach as it suppresses cancer recurrence with fewer adverse effects. 6-Gingerol is an active component of ginger, which exhibits well-known anti-cancer activities. This study determined the mechanistic aspects of cell death induction by 6-gingerol. To analyze cellular processes, we used Western blot and real-time qPCR for molecular signaling studies and conducted flow cytometry. Our results suggested an inhibition of CSC marker expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling by 6-gingerol in NCCIT and NTERA-2 cells. 6-Gingerol induced reactive oxygen species generation, the DNA damage response, cell cycle arrest, and the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in embryonic CSCs. Furthermore, 6-gingerol inhibited iron metabolism and induced PTEN, which both played vital roles in the induction of cell death. The activation of PTEN resulted in the inhibition of PD-L1 expression through PI3K/AKT/p53 signaling. The induction of PTEN also mediated the downregulation of microRNAs miR-20b, miR-21, and miR-130b to result in PD-L1 suppression by 6-gingerol. Hence, 6-gingerol may be a promising candidate to target CSCs by regulating PTEN-mediated PD-L1 expression.

scholarly journals Periodontitis-level butyrate-induced ferroptosis in periodontal ligament fibroblasts by activation of ferritinophagy

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunhe Zhao ◽  
Jiao Li ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Houxuan Li ◽  
Lang Lei
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Periodontal Ligament ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Glutathione Depletion ◽  
Periodontal Pocket ◽  
Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts ◽  
Periodontal Tissues ◽  
Regulated Cell Death ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Abstract Loss of periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) is one critical issue for regenerating lost periodontal tissues. A wide variety of regulated cell death pathways, such as apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis have been proposed in the periodontitis development. The aim of the present study was to explore whether long-term periodontitis-level butyrate may trigger ferroptosis, a newly characterized iron-dependent regulated cell death in PDLFs. Here, we showed that long-term treatment of butyrate, an important short-chain fatty acid in the periodontal pocket, induces the cargo receptor nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)-mediated ferritinophagy and ferroptosis in PDLFs. Butyrate-induced iron accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation in PDLFs, and the butyrate-induced ferroptosis can be blocked by the lipid peroxide scavenger ferrostatin-1. The NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy is dependent on p38/hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway activation as well as Bromodomain-containing protein (BRD) 4 and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) coordination. These lines of evidence provide a new mechanistic insight into the mechanism of loss of PDLFs during periodontitis development, showing that periodontitis-level butyrate disrupted iron homeostasis by activation of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy, leading to ferroptosis in PDLFs.

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