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Scientists have discovered mechanisms that control a new form of premature cell death in living tissue and a mechanism to reverse it, opening up the possibility for new treatments to a number of diseases, according to a new study published Monday.
Up until now, "ferroptosis" was a form of cell death identified only in cancer cells. The new findings, published in the British scientific journal Nature Cell Biology, show that this kind of cell death can also be triggered in healthy cells by removing the protein Gpx4, responsible for regulating the cell death process.
To counter this, researchers from Cardiff University collaborated with researchers in Sweden and America to understand how to control the process. Using lipidomics and extensive molecular screening, the team uncovered a small inhibitor called Liproxstatin-1, which proved capable of suppressing ferroptosis.
Scientists were then able to use this inhibitor to prevent cell death in living organisms. Tests have since revealed that this mechanism prevents tissue damage in human kidney cells, acute kidney failure and in liver damage.
According to researchers, the findings suggest that this could be a therapeutic target for preventing tissue damage in a range of conditions.
"So far, its efficacy has been proven in mouse models and human cells," Prof. Valerie O'Donnell from Cardiff University, co-author of the study, said.
"We are hoping that these exciting results will stimulate further enquiry in this area, helping to unravel mechanisms involved in this important new form of cell death," she added.
The next step is trying this approach in human trials, researchers said.
