Caveolin-1 dictates ferroptosis in the execution of acute immune-mediated hepatic damage by attenuating nitrogen stress

Ferroptosis is a new regulated cells death manner defined as results of iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation. However, the specific mechanisms of regulating ferroptosis remain unclear. In our present study, we demonstrated that Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) played a central role in protecting hepatocytes against ferroptosis in autoimmunity-mediated hepatitis (AIH). The down-regulated Cav-1 in liver tissues, accompanied by ferroptotic events and RNS production, were contributed to the outcome of ConA-induced hepatic damage, which were rescued by ferrostatin-1 (an inhibitor of ferroptosis) in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, Cav-1 deficiency aggravated ConA-induced hepatocellular death and ferroptosis associated with excessive nitrogen stress response. Short hairpin RNA of Cav-1 in hepatocytes promoted ferroptosis and nitrative stress in response to erastin in vitro, which was ameliorated by Cav-1 over-expression. Meanwhile, administration of the iNOS inhibitor (1400W) or ONOO- scavenger (Fe-TMPyP), diminished reactive nitrogen species (RNS), remarkably reduced hepatocytes ferroptosis and attenuated ConA-induced liver damage. Furthermore, immune inhibition by gadolinium chloride (GdCl3), a well-known Kupffer cell depletor, elevated hepatic Cav-1 but inhibited ferroptosis and nitrative stress under ConA exposure. In conclusion, these data revealed a novel molecular mechanism of ferroptosis with the Cav-1 regulation was essential for pathogenesis of ConA-induced hepatitis. Downstream of Cav-1, RNS-mediated ferroptosis was a pivotal step that drives the execution of acute immune-mediated hepatic damage.