Epigenetic mechanism of EZH2-mediated histone methylation modification in regulating ferroptosis of alveolar epithelial cells in sepsis-induced acute lung injury

Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (SI-ALI) leads to significant deaths in critically ill patients worldwide. This study explores the mechanism of EZH2 regulating ferroptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in SI-ALI. In vitro cell model and in vivo mouse lung injury model of sepsis were established. EZH2 expression in lung tissues was intervened by sh-EZH2, followed by H&E staining observation of lung tissue pathological changes. EZH2, H3K27me3, USP10, GPX4, and ACSL4 expressions were determined by qRT-PCR or Western blot. ROS, GSH, and iron ion levels were detected using fluorescent labeling and reagent kits, respectively. ChIP analyzed the enrichment of EZH2 and H3K27me3 on USP10 promoter. The binding between USP10 and GPX4, and the ubiquitination level of GPX4 were detected using Co-IP. EZH2 was highly expressed in lung tissues of SI-ALI mice. EZH2 silencing alleviated ALI and ferroptosis of AECs; EZH2 increased the H3K27me3 level on USP10 promoter through histone methylation. USP10 stabilized GPX4 protein expression through ubiquitination; inhibition of USP10 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of EZH2 silencing on ferroptosis of AECs. In conclusion, EZH2 depresses USP10 expression by promoting histone H3K27me3 modification on USP10 promoter, thereby enhancing ubiquitination degradation of GPX4 and ultimately facilitating ferroptosis of AECs in sepsis.