Ferroptosis in the U87MG Human Glioblastoma Cell Line Induces Damage Associated Molecular Phenotypes.

Abstract

Glioblastomas are known as "immune cold" cancers with little induction of damage-associated molecular phenotypes (DAMPS). We previously described the induction of ferroptosis in glioblastoma cells using the small molecule, OGM, a specific inhibitor of GPR68. The ferroptotic cell death pathway has been reported to induce the release of DAMPS. Here, we show that induction of ferroptosis through both Erastin and OGM results in DAMPS in U87MG cells. This suggests that ferroptosis in human glioblastomas may be able to convert them to an "immune hot" cancer, increasing their susceptibility to immunotherapy. These findings highlight the immunogenic potential of causing ferroptosis in glioblastoma as a therapeutic mechanism of action.