Targeting ferroptosis and ferritinophagy: new targets for cardiovascular diseases

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cardiology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a primary global cause of mortality.
• The role of iron in CVDs is a long-standing area of research.
• Iron-mediated cell death, ferroptosis, and ferritinophagy are increasingly recognized in cardiac pathology.

Approach:

• This review delineates the mechanisms of ferroptosis and ferritinophagy.
• It explores regulatory pathways and molecular targets of ferritinophagy.
• The review examines the specific roles of these processes in CVDs.

Key Points:

• Ferritinophagy acts as an upstream inducer of ferroptosis.
• Both ferroptosis and ferritinophagy are implicated in cardiomyocyte damage and CVD progression.
• Understanding these iron-related cell death pathways is crucial for CVD research.

Conclusions:

• Targeting ferritinophagy-induced ferroptosis presents a promising therapeutic avenue for CVDs.
• This review provides insights into CVD pathology and potential therapeutic targets.
• Further research into modulating these pathways could lead to novel treatments.