Effect of erythrophagocytosis-induced ferroptosis during angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques

Intraplaque (IP) angiogenesis is a key feature of advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Because IP vessels are fragile and leaky, erythrocytes are released and phagocytosed by macrophages (erythrophagocytosis), which leads to high intracellular iron content, lipid peroxidation and cell death. In vitro experiments showed that erythrophagocytosis by macrophages induced non-canonical ferroptosis, an emerging type of regulated necrosis that may contribute to plaque destabilization. Erythrophagocytosis-induced ferroptosis was accompanied by increased expression of heme-oxygenase 1 and ferritin, and could be blocked by co-treatment with third generation ferroptosis inhibitor UAMC-3203. Both heme-oxygenase 1 and ferritin were also expressed in erythrocyte-rich regions of carotid plaques from ApoE^−/− Fbn1^C1039G+/− mice, a model of advanced atherosclerosis with IP angiogenesis. The effect of UAMC-3203 (12.35 mg/kg/day) on atherosclerosis was evaluated in ApoE^−/− Fbn1^C1039G+/− mice fed a western-type diet (WD) for 12 weeks (n = 13 mice/group) or 20 weeks (n = 16–21 mice/group) to distinguish between plaques without and with established IP angiogenesis, respectively. A significant decrease in carotid plaque thickness was observed after 20 weeks WD (87 ± 19 μm vs. 166 ± 20 μm, p = 0.006), particularly in plaques with confirmed IP angiogenesis or hemorrhage (108 ± 35 μm vs. 322 ± 40 μm, p = 0.004). This effect was accompanied by decreased IP heme-oxygenase 1 and ferritin expression. UAMC-3203 did not affect carotid plaques after 12 weeks WD or plaques in the aorta, which typically do not develop IP angiogenesis. Altogether, erythrophagocytosis-induced ferroptosis during IP angiogenesis leads to larger atherosclerotic plaques, an effect that can be prevented by ferroptosis inhibitor UAMC-3203.