[Effect and molecular mechanism of hesperadin-induced ferroptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells].

Objective

To investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of hesperadin in inducing ferroptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 cells.

Methods

The effects of hesperadin on the viability, proliferation, and migration of K562 cells were detected though CCK8, EDU-594, and Transwell assays, and the apoptotic rate of K562 cells was detected by flow cytometry. In addition, C11-BODIPY and FerroOrange were utilized to detect intracellular lipid peroxidation and Fe(2+) levels. Meanwhile, the expression levels of ferroptosis-associated protein solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in cells were detected through Western blot. Lipid peroxidation and Fe(2+) levels were also detected after transfection of cells with SLC7A11 overexpression plasmid.

Results

Hesperadin decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner with IC(50) of 0.544 μmol/L. Hesperadin concentrations of 0.4 and 0.8 μmol/L were selected for follow-up experiments. EDU-594, Transwell, and flow cytometry showed significantly decreased proliferation and migration rate of K562 cells after 0.4 and 0.8 μmol/L hesperadin treatment for 24 h, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Western blot indicated a downregulated expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and an elevated expression of proapoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase-3. Moreover, hesperadin increased intracellular lipid peroxidation and Fe(2+) levels compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). The combination of ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) and hesperadin could reverse the effect of hesperadin on K562 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of ferroptosis-related genes SLC7A11 and GPX4 were significantly decreased in the 0.8 μmol/L hesperadin-treated group (P<0.05). SLC7A11 overexpression can inhibit hesperadin effect and alleviate ferroptosis.

Conclusion

Hesperadin can promote ferroptosis in K562 cells by regulating the SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.