Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death. It is distinct from other regulated cell death phenotypes, such as apoptosis and necroptosis. Ferroptosis is characterized by extensive lipid peroxidation, which can be suppressed by iron chelators or lipophilic antioxidants. Mechanistically, Ferroptosis inducers are divided into two classes: (1) inhibitors of cystine import via system x_c⁻ (e.g., Erastin), which subsequently causes depletion of glutathione (GSH), and (2) covalent inhibitors (e.g., (1S, 3R)-RSL3) of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Since GPX4 reduces lipid hydroperoxides using GSH as a co-substrate, both compound classes ultimately result in loss of GPX4 activity, followed by elevated levels of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent cell death.

Ferroptosis is an iron- and ROS-dependent form of regulated cell death (RCD). Misregulated Ferroptosis has been implicated in multiple physiological and pathological processes, including cancer cell death, neurotoxicity, neurodegenerative diseases, acute renal failure, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, hepatic and heart ischemia/reperfusion injury, and T-cell immunity.