Haemin-induced cell death in human monocytic cells is consistent with ferroptosis. Issue 4 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Imoto, Shion; Kono, Mari; Suzuki, Takashi; Shibuya, Yukiko; Sawamura, Tohru; Mizokoshi, Yuji; Sawada, Hirohide; Ohbuchi, Ayako; Saigo, Katsuyasu
• Is Part Of: Transfusion and apheresis science. Volume 57:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 524
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Transfusion iron overload -- Macrophages -- Haemin -- Ferroptosis -- Iron chelators; Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; Hemapheresis -- Periodicals; 615.39
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2018.05.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0502

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Iron overload is a major issue for transfusion-dependent patients. Repeated transfusions result in the loading of large amounts of haem-derived iron on macrophages, and the haemin in turn induces cell death and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both murine macrophages and human monocytic THP-1 cells. This haemin-induced cell death process has been shown to be iron-dependent. Thus, we hypothesized that haemin-induced THP-1 cell death is a result of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent mechanism of cell death regulation. Material and methods: Human monocytic THP-1 cells were treated with haemin, and haemin-induced cell death and ROS generation were assessed using flow cytometry. Results: Haemin-induced THP-1 cell death showed a necrosis pattern, and treatment with iron chelators suppressed both haemin-induced cell death and ROS generation. Treatment with ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, suppressed haemin-induced cell death without affecting ROS generation, whereas erastin, a ferroptosis inducer, enhanced both haemin-induced cell death and ROS generation. Discussion: Our findings support haemin-induced cell death as an example of ferroptosis. Therefore, ferroptosis inhibitors may be useful for the treatment or prevention of transfusion iron overload.