Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) promotes Di-butyl phthalate (DBP)-induced hypospadias by regulating mitophagy through PINK1-Parkin axis to inhibit ferroptosis

Abstract

This study reveals how Di-butyl phthalate (DBP), an estrogen-mimicking environmental pollutant, induces hypospadias by inhibiting ferroptosis through ESR1 activation and PINK1-Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Utilizing a prenatal DBP-exposed fetal rat hypospadias model, we observed significant downregulation of pro-ferroptotic ACSL4 and upregulation of anti-ferroptotic GPX4/SLC7A11 in urethral tissues, alongside elevated oxidative stress markers (MDA, Fe²⁺) and reduced glutathione (GSH). In vitro experiments using rat urethral plate fibroblasts (RUPFs) demonstrated that DBP enhanced ferroptosis resistance and promoted proliferation at concentrations below 200 μM. Mechanistically, DBP activated ESR1, which triggered mitophagy via the PINK1-Parkin pathway, reducing mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, thereby suppressing ferroptosis. Inhibition or silencing of ESR1 reversed these effects, restoring ferroptosis sensitivity and oxidative stress. These findings unveil a novel ESR1-mitophagy-ferroptosis regulatory axis, linking DBP exposure to hypospadias pathogenesis. The study not only elucidates a previously unrecognized molecular pathway underlying phthalate-induced congenital malformations but also identifies ESR1 and mitophagy as potential therapeutic targets. By integrating in vivo and in vitro approaches, this work advances the understanding of environmental endocrine disruptors’ role in developmental toxicity and provides actionable insights for mitigating their health impacts, aligning with current priorities in reproductive and environmental health research.