Abstract
Purpose
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, driven by excessive lipid peroxidation and/or inactivation/depletion of protective molecules against lipid peroxidation. Ionizing radiation can induce ferroptosis in both normal tissues and tumor cells. Here, we reviewed the findings of ionizing radiation-induced ferroptosis.
Conclusions
Ionizing radiation induces an increase in hydroxyl radicals, free iron, and lipid metabolic enzymes, which subsequently synergistically initiate a high level of lipid peroxidation, making ionizing radiation an exogenous inducer of ferroptosis. In addition, ferroptosis may be the primary form of cell death in the bone marrow under hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome. Ionizing radiation can also induce changes in iron metabolism, which may be a target for regulating ferroptosis. Finally, ionizing radiation-induced ferroptosis initiates from the cytoplasm and ends on the membrane, and is independent of DNA damage.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Xiaohong Zhang
Xiaohong Zhang, PhD, is a senior experimentalist at the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.
Xin Li
Xin Li, MS, is a postgraduate at the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.
Chunyan Zheng
Chunyan Zheng, MS, is a postgraduate at the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.
Chunzhi Yang
Chunzhi Yang, is a bachelor of the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.
Rui Zhang
Rui Zhang, MD, is a chief physician at the Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
Ailian Wang
Ailian Wang, MD, is a chief physician at the Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, PR China.
Jundong Feng
Jundong Feng, PhD, is an associate professor at the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.
Xiaodan Hu
Xiaodan Hu, PhD, is an associate professor at the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.
Shuquan Chang
Shuquan Chang, PhD, is the head of the Department at Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.
Haiqian Zhang
Haiqian Zhang, PhD, is a professor at the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, PR China.