Sestrin2 reduces ferroptosis via the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion

Free Radic Biol Med. 2024 Mar:214:115-128. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.02.003. Epub 2024 Feb 6.

Abstract

Sestrins are metabolic regulators that respond to stress by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting the activity of target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Previous research has demonstrated that Sestrin2 mitigates ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in the heart, liver, and kidneys. However, its specific role in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR) injury remains unclear. To elucidate the role of Sestrin2 in IIR injury, we conducted an experimental study using a C57BL/6J mouse model of IIR. We noticed an increase in the levels of Sestrin2 expression and indicators associated with ferroptosis. Our study revealed that manipulating Sestrin2 expression in Caco-2 cells through overexpression or knockdown resulted in a corresponding decrease or increase, respectively, in ferroptosis levels. Furthermore, our investigation revealed that Sestrin2 alleviated ferroptosis caused by IIR injury through the activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 signal pathway. This finding highlights the potential of Sestrin2 as a therapeutic target for alleviating IIR injury. These findings indicated that the modulation of Sestrin2 could be a promising strategy for managing prolonged IIR injury.

Keywords: Ferroptosis; Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion; Keap1; Nrf2; Sestrin2.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Ferroptosis* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Ischemia
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / genetics
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Mesenteric Ischemia*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / genetics
  • Reperfusion
  • Reperfusion Injury* / genetics
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Keap1 protein, mouse
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Nfe2l2 protein, mouse
  • Sesn2 protein, mouse
  • SESN2 protein, human