Vitamin E and GPX4 cooperatively protect treg cells from ferroptosis and alleviate intestinal inflammatory damage in necrotizing enterocolitis

BACKGROUND: The notable decline in the number of Tregs within Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) intestinal tissues，contribute to excessive inflammation and necrosis, yet the precise underlying factors remain enigmatic. Ferroptosis, a novel cell death stemming from a disrupted lipid redox metabolism, is the focus of this investigation. Specifically, this study delves into the ferroptosis of Treg cells in the context of NEC and observes the protective effects exerted by vitamin E intervention, which aims to mitigate ferroptosis of Treg cells. METHODS: To investigate the reduction of Treg cells in NEC intestine, we analyzed its association with ferroptosis from multiple angles. We constructed a mouse with a specific knockout of Gpx4 in Treg cells, aiming to examine the impact of Treg cell ferroptosis on NEC intestinal injury and localized inflammation. Ultimately, we employed vitamin E treatment to mitigate ferroptosis in NEC intestine's Treg cells, monitoring the subsequent amelioration in intestinal inflammatory damage. RESULTS: The diminution of Treg cells in NEC is attributed to ferroptosis stemming from diminished GPX4 expression. Gpx4-deficient Treg cells exhibit impaired immunosuppressive function and are susceptible to ferroptosis. This ferroptosis of Treg cells exacerbates intestinal damage and inflammatory response in NEC. Notably, Vitamin E can inhibit the ferroptosis of Treg cells, subsequently alleviating intestinal damage and inflammation in NEC. Additionally, Vitamin E bolsters the anti-lipid peroxidation capability of Treg cells by upregulating the expression of GPX4. CONCLUSION: In the context of NEC, the ferroptosis of Treg cells represents a significant factor contributing to intestinal tissue damage and an exaggerated inflammatory response. GPX4 is pivotal for the viability and functionality of Treg cells. Vitamin E exhibits the capability to mitigate the ferroptosis of Treg cells, thereby enhancing their number and function, which plays a crucial role in mitigating intestinal tissue damage and inflammatory response in NEC.