The Molecular Mechanisms of Ferroptosis and Its Role in Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction

Xiaoshu Chen; Xinru Pang; Abrey J Yeo; Siwen Xie; Mengting Xiang; Bin Shi; Gongchang Yu; Chao Li

doi:10.3389/fncel.2022.889765

The Molecular Mechanisms of Ferroptosis and Its Role in Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction

Front Cell Neurosci. 2022 May 19:16:889765. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2022.889765. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Xiaoshu Chen¹, Xinru Pang¹, Abrey J Yeo², Siwen Xie¹, Mengting Xiang¹, Bin Shi³, Gongchang Yu³, Chao Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.
² University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
³ Neck-Shoulder and Lumbocrural Pain Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selective, semi-permeable layer of endothelial cells that protects the central nervous system from harmful substances circulating in blood. It is one of the important barriers of the nervous system. BBB dysfunction is an early pathophysiological change observed in nervous system diseases. There are few treatments for BBB dysfunction, so this motivates the review. Ferroptosis is a novel cell death mode caused by iron-mediated lipid peroxidation accumulation, which has recently attracted more attention due to its possible role in nervous system disorders. Studies have shown that lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation are related to the barrier dysfunction, especially the expression of tight junction proteins. Therefore, examination of the relationship between ferroptosis and BBB dysfunction may reveal new targets for the treatment of brain diseases.

Keywords: blood brain barrier; ferroptosis; iron accumulation; lipid peroxidation; tight junctions.

Publication types

Review