Background: Haemophilic arthropathy (HA) is a frequent complication of haemophilia, where ferroptosis in chondrocytes significantly contributes to disease progression. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) is known to modulate disorders associated with ferroptosis; however, its specific effect on chondrocyte ferroptosis remains unclear. This research sought to explore the effects of CIRBP on ferroptosis in chondrocytes and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Methods: Chondrocytes were treated with FAC to simulate an in vitro iron overload environment. Various methods, including cell viability assays, Western blotting, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence, were employed to assess the effects of CIRBP on chondrocyte cytotoxicity, ferroptosis-related proteins and oxidative stress.
Results: The results indicated that chondrocyte proliferation decreased in the iron overload environment, with increased levels of ferroptosis-related proteins GPX4 and SLC7A11, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), confirming the occurrence of ferroptosis in chondrocytes. Notably, CIRBP exacerbated this process. Ultimately, the inhibition of the CIRBP-mediated TLR4 pathway successfully alleviated chondrocyte ferroptosis.
Conclusion: This study provides deeper insights into the cell death pathways involved in HA and suggests that inhibiting the pro-ferroptotic effects of CIRBP may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for HA. Further research is needed to evaluate the chronic effects of this intervention in vivo.
Summary: Identifies a new pathological role for CIRBP: We found that cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) is elevated in the cartilage of Haemophilic Arthropathy (HA) patients and exacerbates iron-overload induced chondrocyte death. Links CIRBP to ferroptosis: For the first time, we demonstrate that CIRBP aggravates chondrocyte ferroptosis-a specific type of iron-dependent cell death-by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depleting key anti-ferroptosis proteins (GPX4 and SLC7A11). Proposes a novel therapeutic target: Inhibiting the TLR4 pathway with TAK-242 successfully alleviated CIRBP-driven ferroptosis, suggesting that targeting the CIRBP/TLR4 axis could be a viable strategy to protect cartilage in HA.