Zinc finger translocation­associated protein promotes ferroptosis through the upregulation of ACSL4 expression in vascular endothelial cells.

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies have reported the potential involvement of ferroptosis in the development of atherosclerosis (AS). Acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) is an essential component in the promotion of ferroptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the role of ACSL4 and zinc finger translocation-associated protein (ZFTA) in the regulation of endothelial cell ferroptosis in AS. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with ACSL4 knockout were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. To assess ferroptosis, malondialdehyde concentration, iron content and reactive oxygen species levels were quantified in the present study. In addition, western blot analysis was conducted to explore the potential mechanisms underlying ACSL4 and ZFTA in the modulation of ferroptosis in HUVECs. The results of the present study demonstrated that the expression levels of ACSL4 and ZFTA were significantly increased in human atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, ACSL4 knockout led to a reduced susceptibility to ferroptosis, while ZFTA contributed to ferroptosis in HUVECs. Results of the present study also demonstrated that ZFTA overexpression upregulated ACSL4 expression in HUVECs, whereas ZFTA knockdown led to decreased ACSL4 expression. Co-transfection experiments demonstrated that the ZTFA overexpression-mediated increase in ferroptosis was reversed following ACSL4 knockdown. Collectively, results of the present study highlighted that ACSL4 mediated the effects of ZFTA on the ferroptosis of HUVECs. Thus, the present study demonstrated the potential role of ACSL4 and ZFTA in the regulation of ferroptosis, and highlighted that ferroptosis-related pathways may act as potential targets in the treatment of AS.