Regulation of the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 Pathway by Gentamicin Induces Ferroptosis in HEI-OC1 Cells

Background Gentamicin is a commonly used aminoglycoside antibiotic, with ototoxicity as a significant side effect. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, has been implicated in a variety of disorders. Whether ferroptosis impacts gentamicin ototoxicity is not yet known. The current work used an in-vitro model to examine the influence of gentamicin-induced ferroptosis on cochlear hair cell damage and probable molecular biological pathways. Methods House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells were treated with different concentrations of gentamicin for 24 hours, with or without ferrostatin-1 pretreatment, to observe gentamicin-induced ferroptosis. The role of p53/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling in gentamicin-induced ferroptosis was explored by pretreating cells with the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α (PFT-α). We investigated the effect of gentamicin on cells by assessing cell viability. Cellular proteins were isolated and Western blots were performed to detect changes in the expression of p53, SLC7A11, and GPX4. Fluorescence staining was used to assess levels of reactive oxygen species. An enzymatic detection kit was used to detect glutathione, Fe, and malondialdehyde markers. Results Gentamicin reduced cell viability, glutathione content, and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein levels, and increased levels of p53 protein, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and Fe. These effects were largely blocked by pretreatment with ferrostatin-1. Pretreatment with the p53 inhibitor PFT-α prevented the gentamicin-induced reduction in SLC7A11 and GPX4, which alleviated several features of ferroptosis including glutathione depletion, iron overload, and lipid peroxidation build-up. Conclusion Gentamicin induces ferroptosis in the HEI-OC1 cell line, and the mechanism may be related to the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.