Nuclear translocation of NRF2 activates SLC7A11 and inhibits SAS-in-duced ferroptosis of AML cells
10.3969/j.issn.1000-4718.2025.07.005
- VernacularTitle:NRF2核易位激活SLC7A11并抑制SAS诱导的AML细胞铁死亡
- Author:
Yanfeng LIN
1
;
Zhiyuan ZHENG
;
Ying CHEN
;
Wei WU
;
Donghong LIN
;
Yan XUE
Author Information
1. 福建医科大学医学技术与工程学院医学检验系,福建 福州 350122
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
acute myeloid leukemia;
ferroptosis;
nuclear factor E2-related factor 2;
solute carrier family 7 member 11
- From:
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology
2025;41(7):1289-1299
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
AIM:This study investigated the role of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)in sul-fasalazine(SAS)-induced ferroptosis in acute myeloid leukemia(AML)cells,focusing on the inhibitory effect of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2)nuclear translocation-mediated activation of SLC7A11 on ferroptosis and its underlying mechanisms.METHODS:SAS-induced proliferation in AML cell lines,Kasumi-1 and THP-1,was assessed using the MTS assay.Cell death inhibitors were employed to determine the mode of cell death.Lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were measured by flow cytometry;Fe2+,malonodialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH)levels,and glutathione per-oxidase 4(GPX4)activity were assessed using micromethods.Quantitative PCR(qPCR)was performed to evaluate changes in SLC7A11 mRNA during SAS-induced ferroptosis,while Western blot measured SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein levels.Moreover,Western blot assessed NRF2 nuclear translocation post-SAS treatment.The NRF2 inhibitor ML385 was used to validate these effects.SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels were then measured following combined SAS and ML385 treatment via qPCR and Western blot.Cell viability and ferroptosis-related indices were evaluated under the same treatment conditions.Furthermore,a shRNA vector targeting SLC7A11 was constructed to assess changes in cell viability and ferroptosis markers after SLC7A11 knockdown with SAS.GPX4 protein levels were examined following SLC7A11 knockdown.RESULTS:SAS significantly inhibited the proliferation of Kasumi-1 and THP-1 cells at 200 μmol/L and 300 μmol/L,respectively(P<0.05).Only ferroptosis inhibitors(Fer-1 and DFO)significantly reversed SAS-induced cy-totoxicity(P<0.01).SAS increased lipid ROS,Fe2+,and MDA levels(P<0.01),while reducing GSH and GPX4 activity(P<0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of SLC7A11 increased during SAS-induced ferroptosis(P<0.01),where-as GPX4 protein decreased significantly(P<0.01).SAS significantly increased the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic NRF2 ratio(P<0.01),which decreased upon co-treatment with ML385(P<0.05).Following SAS and ML385 co-treatment,both SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels were downregulated(P<0.01).This combination treatment further reduced AML cell viability(P<0.01),an effect reversed by Fer-1 and DFO(P<0.01).Compared with SAS alone,the combination of SAS and ML385 significantly increased lipid ROS,Fe2+,and MDA while reducing GSH levels and GPX4 activity(P<0.01).SLC7A11 knockdown was successfully achieved.Compared with the NC shRNA group,SLC7A11 knockdown cells showed significantly decreased viability after SAS treatment,which was reversed by Fer-1 and DFO(P<0.01).Lipid ROS,Fe2+,and MDA content were significantly increased(P<0.01),and GSH and GPX4 were substantially decreased(P<0.05).Moreover,GPX4 protein expression was considerably reduced after SLC7A11 knockdown(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:SAS induces ferroptosis in AML cells.It promotes the nuclear translocation of NRF2 protein,which activates SLC7A11 ex-pression.Inhibition of NRF2 or downregulation of SLC7A11 sensitizes AML cells to SAS-induced ferroptosis.
