The role and mechanism of PGC-1α in oxLDL-induced ferroptosis of vascular endothelial cells

Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death that is dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iron metabolism. Ferroptosis can participate in the formation and rupture of atherosclerotic plaque by regulating apoptosis. However, the mechanism of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) ferroptosis in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS) requires further exploration. Previous studies have shown that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) can improve mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), but its specific role in VECs ferroptosis remains unclear. In this study, we found that oxLDL can induce VECs ferroptosis, and mitochondria are key to oxLDL-induced VECs ferroptosis. As a key regulator of mitochondrial function, the protein expression of PGC-1α was lower in oxLDL-treated VECs. Moreover, overexpression of PGC-1α inhibited oxLDL-induced VECs ferroptosis, whereas the role of PGC-1α was affected by its upstream regulatory molecule AMPK in this process. This study explores the new idea of oxLDL-induced VECs ferroptosis mediated by AMPK/PGC-1α to better understand the pathogenesis of vascular lesions caused by high lipid levels and provides a theoretical basis for the early prevention of AS.