Epigenetic Regulation of Ferroptosis by the KDM3A/BRPF1 Transcriptional Axis Confers Neuroprotection in Postpartum Depression mouse model
Background
Postpartum depression (PPD) represents a debilitating perinatal psychiatric disorder with elusive pathogenesis. While ferroptosis—an iron-dependent regulated cell death pathway—is implicated in neuropsychiatric conditions, its mechanistic role in PPD remains undefined.
Methods
We integrated blood-derived protein quantitative trait loci (bd-pQTL) from 35,559 Icelanders with FerrDb-curated ferroptosis genes through bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to identify causal PPD regulators. Mediation MR delineated ferroptosis-related pathways validated in an ovariectomy/hormone-withdrawal mouse model simulating postpartum neuroendocrinology. Multimodal assessment combined behavioral phenotyping, ferroptotic biomarker quantification, transcriptional profiling, and pharmacological ferroptosis inhibition (Ferrostatin-1).
Results
Primary MR identified 159 ferroptosis-related genes, with BRPF1 exerting robust protection against PPD (IVW OR = 0.797, P = 0.009). Chromatin modifier KDM3A governed BRPF1 expression (mediation β = 0.336, P < 0.0001), forming a causal hierarchy that suppressed ferroptosis. Hormone-withdrawn mice recapitulated PPD neuropathology: depression-like behaviors (FST/TST immobility ↑, OFT/LDT exploration ↓, P < 0.0001), ferroptotic signatures (hippocampal Fe2+↑, GSH↓, P < 0.001), and KDM3A/BRPF1 axis suppression (GPX4↓, SLC7A11↓, P < 0.001). Ferrostatin-1 administration rescued behavioral deficits, normalized redox homeostasis, and restored KDM3A/BRPF1-mediated GPX4/SLC7A11 transactivation (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
We establish an epigenetic paradigm wherein KDM3A orchestrates BRPF1-dependent transcriptional control of ferroptosis defenses (GPX4/SLC7A11), constraining PPD pathogenesis. This KDM3A/BRPF1 axis represents a druggable target, with ferroptosis inhibition demonstrating therapeutic efficacy, informing novel epigenetic-based interventions.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Affective Disorders publishes papers concerned with affective disorders in the widest sense: depression, mania, mood spectrum, emotions and personality, anxiety and stress. It is interdisciplinary and aims to bring together different approaches for a diverse readership. Top quality papers will be accepted dealing with any aspect of affective disorders, including neuroimaging, cognitive neurosciences, genetics, molecular biology, experimental and clinical neurosciences, pharmacology, neuroimmunoendocrinology, intervention and treatment trials.