DJ-1 upregulates the Nrf2/GPX4 signal pathway to inhibit trophoblast ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered mode of cell death that involves disorders in iron metabolism and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the plasma membrane. Preeclampsia (PE) is a gestational idiopathic disease that is characterized by hypertension and albuminuria, begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. DJ-1 is a prerequisite for activating and stabilizing Nrf2 to allow translocation to the nucleus to carry out further functions. Detecting the expression levels of DJ-1, the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway and ferroptosis markers in placental tissues of pregnant women with and without PE. Analyzing the effects of the ferroptosis inducer (RSL3) and the inhibitor (Fer-1) on the mortality rate of BeWo cells and DJ-1+/+, DJ-1−/− BeWo cells. Ferroptosis markers (MDA concentration and morphology of trophoblast cells) and DJ-1 and its downstream the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway increased significantly in PE pathological state. The expression levels of DJ-1 protein in the control group and the PE group were positively correlated with the expression levels of Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway protein, and negatively correlated with the MDA concentration. BeWo cells were sensitive to the ferroptosis inducer (RSL3) and the inhibitor (Fer-1). The high expression levels of DJ-1 in BeWo cells can resist ferroptosis by regulating the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway. Ferroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of PE. DJ-1 can mediate the trophoblast cells ferroptosis and play a protective role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by regulating the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway.