The Expression And Significance Of Ferroptosis-related Genes In Human Keloid Tissue

Objective : To investigate the expression and significance of ferroptosis-related genes glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7,member 11(SLC7A11,also known as x CT),transferrin receptor(TFRC)and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)in human keloid tissues.Method:35 tissue specimens of keloids(13 males and 22 females,aged 10～65 years old)and 20 tissue specimens of normal skin(8 males and 12 females,aged 20～50 years old)excised by other operations were collected from the Department of Plastic Surgery,First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2022 to June 2022.The expression of ferroptosis marker GPX4 in keloid and normal skin tissue was detected by immunohistochemical staining,and the m RNA expression of GPX4,x CT,TFRC and Nrf2 in each group of tissues was detected by real-time quantitative PCR(RT-q PCR)technology.The protein expression of GPX4,x CT,TFRC and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in each group was detected by Western blot,and the iron content of the two tissues was detected by colorimetric method,and differences among the groups were compared.When measurement data were in accordance with normal distribution,t test was used for comparison between the two groups,and Mann-Whitney-U test was used for comparison between the groups if it didn’t coincided with normal distribution.Result:Immunohistochemical staining showed that the protein expression level of GPX4 in keloid group,a marker of ferroptosis,was lower than that in normal skin group(P<0.05).RT-q PCR showed that the m RNA expression levels of GPX4,x CT and Nrf2 in keloid group were lower than those in normal skin group(P<0.05),and the m RNA expression level of TFRC was higher than that in normal skin group(P<0.05).Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of GPX4 and x CT in keloid group were lower than those in normal skin group(P < 0.05),and the protein expression levels of TFRC and α-SMA were higher than those in normal skin group(P<0.05).The iron content in keloid group was higher than that in normal skin group(P < 0.05).Conclusion : The phenomenon of ferroptosis exists in keloid,and ferroptosis may be involved in the occurrence and development of keloid.