Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Volume 2021 (2021), Article ID 9991001, 19 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9991001

Review Article

Insight into Crosstalk between Ferroptosis and Necroptosis: Novel Therapeutics in Ischemic Stroke

Yue Zhou,¹ Jun Liao,² Zhigang Mei,1,3 Xun Liu,¹ and Jinwen Ge1,4

¹College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, China
²Medical School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, China
³Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, China
⁴School of Medicine, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, Hunan 422000, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Zhigang Mei; meizhigang@hnucm.edu.cn and Jinwen Ge; 001267@hnucm.edu.cn

Received 15 March 2021; Revised 30 April 2021; Accepted 14 June 2021; Published 28 June 2021

Academic Editor: Pasquale Pagliaro

Copyright © 2021 Yue Zhou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Ferroptosis is a nonapoptotic form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides to lethal levels. Necroptosis, an alternative form of programmed necrosis, is regulated by receptor-interacting protein (RIP) 1 activation and by RIP3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) phosphorylation. Ferroptosis and necroptosis both play important roles in the pathological progress in ischemic stroke, which is a complex brain disease regulated by several cell death pathways. In the past few years, increasing evidence has suggested that the crosstalk occurs between necroptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic stroke. However, the potential links between ferroptosis and necroptosis in ischemic stroke have not been elucidated yet. Hence, in this review, we overview and analyze the mechanism underlying the crosstalk between necroptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic stroke. And we find that iron overload, one mechanism of ferroptosis, leads to mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, which aggravates RIP1 phosphorylation and contributes to necroptosis. In addition, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) induces necroptosis and ferroptosis by promoting RIP1 phosphorylation and suppressing glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activation. In this work, we try to deliver a new perspective in the exploration of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

1. Introduction

Due to its increasing incidence, stroke is now the leading cause of serious long-term disability and death [1]. Ischemic stroke accounts for 70-80% of total stroke cases worldwide, and survivors often experience sensorimotor disorders in one or more body regions [1, 2]. During ischemia, the blood supply to brain tissues is disrupted, which subsequently promotes a cascade of pathophysiological responses resulting in different types of cell death, including autophagy, apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis [3]. Ferroptosis, a recently discovered nonapoptotic form of cell death, is characterized by iron overload, glutathione (GSH) depletion, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 4 inactivation, and lipid and amino acid metabolic imbalances. Necroptosis, an alternative form of programmed necrosis, is regulated by receptor-interacting protein (RIP) 1 activation and by RIP3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) phosphorylation via inhibition of caspase-8. Emerging studies have reported that ferroptosis and necroptosis both induce and aggravate brain tissue damage following the onset and development of cerebral ischemia and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) [4–8]. Regarding therapy, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), the only thrombolytic drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for ischemic stroke treatment, dissolves blood clots by activating a proteolytic enzyme [8]. Early application of thrombolytic drugs is beneficial for the recovery and prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, accumulating research has revealed that thrombolytic drugs have many contraindications and narrow therapeutic windows and are associated with a high risk of hemorrhagic transformation [9, 10]. In addition, delayed administration of recombinant t-PA (rt-PA) may lead to poor reperfusion [11, 12]. Therefore, clinical use of thrombolytic drugs has recently declined. For the above reasons, interventions targeting the specific types of programmed cell death have been investigated to provide new ideas for the treatment of ischemic stroke [13, 14]. Ferroptosis differs from necroptosis in morphological characteristics; developmental steps; and key regulators, inducers, and inhibitors (Table 1). However, increasing evidence has suggested that significant crosstalk occurs between ferroptosis and necroptosis following ischemic stroke [15–21]. In this review, we summarize the mechanism underlying the crosstalk between necroptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic stroke. Elucidation of this mechanism could provide a new perspective supporting advancement of ischemic stroke treatment.

Table 1: Schematic overview of ferroptosis and necroptosis in ischemic stroke. JAK: Janus kinase; STEAP3: six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 3; ACSL4: acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4; FPN: ferroportin; TFR1: transferrin receptor 1; PHKG2: phosphorylase kinase G2; NADPH: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; TNFR: tumor necrosis factor receptor; DFO: deferoxamine; Nec-1: necrostatin-1.

Ferroptosis
Necroptosis

Morphological characteristics
Shrunken mitochondria, fragmented mitochondria, enlarged cristae, dense membrane, lipid radicals
Necrosomes, ion-selective channels formed by MLKL, round and swollen cells, broken plasma membrane

Developmental steps
Iron overload, GSH depletion, GPX4 inactivation, lipid peroxidation, system xc⁻ impairment
RIP1 activation, RIP3 and MLKL phosphorylation

Key regulators
GPX4, JAK, STEAP3, TFR1, ACSL4, FPN, PHKG2, p53, NADPH oxidase
RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, Fas/TNFR, p53

Inducers and inhibitors
Inducers: erastin [22], sorafenib [23], acrolein [22]
Inhibitors: DFO [24], vitamin B12 [25], carvacrol [26], Chinese herbal medicines including naotaifang [27]
Inducers: alkylating agents [28], X-rays [29]
Inhibitors: Nec-1 [30], infliximab [7], dabrafenib [31], Chinese herbal medicines including curcumin [32]

2. Ferroptosis and Cerebral Ischemia

In ischemic stroke, ferroptosis contributes to structural and functional integrity damage including blood–brain barrier (BBB) impairment, which is characterized by rapid neuronal death and dysfunction. Abundant evidence has demonstrated that the mechanisms of ferroptosis include GSH depletion [33, 34]; GPX4 inactivation [34–36]; and metabolic imbalances of iron [34, 37], lipids [36], and amino acids [38] (Figure 1). We will elucidate these mechanisms and their relationships with cerebral ischemia.

Figure 1: The mechanisms of ferroptosis in ischemic stroke. (1) Following ischemic stroke, BBB is disrupted, which allows Fe (III) in the blood to be released into the brain parenchyma with the cooperation of TF and TFR1. Fe (III) is transported from the endosome to the cytoplasm as Fe (II) by DMT1 with the cooperation of STEAP3. Iron overload accelerates lipid ROS accumulation and ferroptosis via Fenton reaction. (2) System xc- is simultaneously impaired, which inhibits cystine-glutamate exchange and decreases the generation of the antioxidant GSH and GPX4. (3) Metabolic imbalances of lipids and amino acids aggravate lipid ROS accumulation and ferroptosis. LPCAT3: lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3; H₂O₂: hydrogen peroxide; GSSG: oxidized glutathione.

2.1. Iron Overload

Most iron comes from damaged or aged red blood cells; this iron is released by macrophages via transferrin receptor (TFR) 1 expressed on the cell surface [39]. Macrophages first engulf red blood cells and then use heme oxygenase to breakdown heme and eventually release iron. The excess iron in cells is stored in ferritin. A small amount of iron comes from food, and dietary iron consists of heme iron and inorganic nonheme iron [40].

Heme iron and nonheme iron are absorbed as Fe (II) by duodenal epithelial cells, and then, Fe (II) absorbed is oxidized to Fe (III) by the ferroxidase hephaestin; eventually, the Fe (III) enters the circulation via ferroportin (FPN) [41–43]. Moreover, virtually all circulating iron binds to transferrin (TF) in serum [44] to keep iron in a soluble form [42], which makes it available for absorption. TF-bound Fe (III) in circulation binds to TFR1 firstly and then Fe (III) is taken up into acidified endosomes [45]. The content of Fe (III) transported from the endosome to the cytoplasm as Fe (II) by divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) is reduced with the cooperation of six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 3 (STEAP3) messenger RNA (mRNA), which is expressed at high levels in macrophages and hepatocytes [46, 47]. On the other hand, overload iron in the plasma promotes non-TF-bound iron (NTBI) accumulation [41, 48].

Furthermore, iron is exported via FPN controlled by hepcidin which is the master molecule of iron negative homeostasis regulation. The expression of hepcidin is regulated by the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/SMAD pathway, as well as the JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/eukaryotic protein kinase (EPK) pathway [49]. TF-bound iron causes a shift from TFR1/HFE complexes to TFR2/HFE complexes and also triggers the SMAD phosphorylation and then activates transcription gene which encodes hepcidin [49]. Interleukin- (IL-) 6 binds IL-6 receptor to initiate a JAK/STAT signaling and hepcidin expression [50]. In contrast, erythropoietin inhibits hepcidin expression and accelerates iron accumulation through the BMP/SMAD pathway and the MAPK/EPK pathway [49]. When the plasma iron concentration is high, diferric TF binds TFR2 to induce upregulation of hepcidin in hepatocytes. Besides, hepcidin binds to FPN to occlude outward open FPN and accelerate FPN degradation, which decreases iron export [51, 52].

Iron released into the circulation binds to TF and then iron is transported to sites of storage and utilization [53]. For example, iron is involved in processes such as the synthesis of some proteins, including hemoglobin and myoglobin, and redox reactions. There are multiple pathways of iron utilization by erythroblasts in mammals, including pathways involving TFR1 and the diferric TF-TFR1 complex [53]. TF and TFR are the major iron transporters under physiological conditions, instead of SLC39A14 which is a member of the solute carrier 39 family mediating cellular uptake of iron, zinc, and manganese [54, 55]. However, SLC39A14 functions as the hepatic transporter of NTBI in the absence of TF [54, 55]. Indeed, hepatocyte-specific TF-knockout (TF-LKO) mice exhibit increased serum levels of NTBI and develop iron overload in a variety of tissues [54]. Furthermore, TF-LKO mice exhibit reduced expression of TFR1 at both the mRNA and protein levels; meanwhile, TF-LKO mice exhibit increased expression of ferritin-L and ferritin-H at the protein level [54].

Normally, iron metabolism in the body is stable and beneficial. Furthermore, iron regulatory proteins (IRP) 1 and IRP2, which are central regulators of cellular iron homeostasis, are vital in the process of iron metabolism. Ferric ions bind to iron-regulatory element (IRE) with high affinity, which enables tight coordination between cellular iron uptake and ferritin/heme synthesis [56]. This tight coordination increases iron levels by repressing the translation of ferritin and maintaining the stability of TFR1 mRNA at low levels of intracellular iron [56]. As an effective redox cycling metal, iron has the potential to catalyze the production of noxious free radicals, especially in the central nervous system [57].

Ferroptosis ultimately leads to decreased neural function and/or structural integrity of the brain. In an ischemic stroke mouse model, free radical production and excessive iron have been found to lead to an oxidative stress response and neuronal death by causing prolonged upregulation of TFR1 and increasing peripheral iron uptake [58, 59]. The oxidative stress response eventually has an adverse effect on disease recovery [58, 59]. After ischemic stroke, disruption of the BBB enables excessive accumulation of intracellular or extracellular fluids in the brain, which results in brain edema and aggravates the degrees of brain tissue injury and nerve dysfunction. Numerous studies have demonstrated that BBB disruption is related to the ability of iron pools from the blood gain sudden accessing to the brain parenchyma, and overload iron aggravates ferroptosis which is induced by lipid peroxidation via Fenton’s reaction [13, 60, 61]. Thus, changes in iron content in brain tissues reflect the extent of BBB dysfunction.

2.2. GSH Depletion and GPX4 Inactivation

Metabolism of iron plays a vital regulatory role in ferroptosis, which can be reversed by GPX4 activation and GSH production. GSH, a tripeptide containing a sulfhydryl group, is composed of glutamate, glycine, and cysteine. Besides, GSH is synthesized from cystine transported by system xc⁻. As a vital antioxidant, GSH plays an important role in free radical scavenging and detoxification through glutathione S-transferase and GPX4 [62, 63]. On the other hand, system xc⁻ impairment inhibits cystine-glutamate exchange, suppresses GSH production and GPX4 activation [64], and eventually results in ferroptosis and neuronal impairment. Indeed, the levels of GSH are decreased in stroke patients and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal models [65].

GPX4, a vital antioxidant enzyme, converts lipid hydroperoxides into nontoxic lipid alcohols, which prevents ferroptosis [66]. Constitutive deletion of the mouse GPX4 gene or inactivation of GPX4 adversely affects normal embryonic development [67, 68], which leads to neurological dysfunction. More importantly, inactivation of GPX4 also leads to ferroptosis when glutamine is deficient [69]. Therefore, GPX4 inactivation is a major factor in ferroptosis. Consistently, loss of GPX4 leads to ferroptosis, which manifests mainly as progressive cognitive dysfunction and impaired behavior in the context of ischemic stroke [70, 71]. Thus, inactivation or loss of the ferroptosis regulator GPX4 triggers cerebral ischemia. However, activation of the p53 tumor suppressor regulates ferroptotic responses without visibly influencing GPX4 function [72]. Furthermore, p53 positively regulates ferroptosis by inhibiting the expression of the cystine/glutamate antiporter SLC7A11 (light chain of subunit of system xc⁻) [73]. In addition, the expression levels of SLC7A11, GPX4, and GSH are decreased in MCAO rats [27].

2.3. Lipid and Amino Acid Metabolism Imbalances

The initiation and execution of ferroptosis lie at the intersection of amino acid, lipid, and iron metabolism [74]. GPX4 converts potentially toxic lipid hydroperoxide (L-OOH) to nontoxic lipid alcohol (L-OH) [74, 75]. Inactivation of GPX4 or depletion of GSH ultimately results in overwhelming lipid peroxidation that causes ferroptosis. In the central nervous system, lipids and lipid mediators are essential for maintenance of normal brain tissue structure and function. Besides, some lipids have either neuroprotective or neurodegenerative effects on poststroke brain tissue [76]. Arteriosclerosis is a major cause of stroke and associated with lipid deposition. Lentivirus-mediated A20 overexpression increases ROS generation in lipid-rich environments and enhances erastin-induced ferroptosis which is associated with GPX4 downregulation and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member (ACSL) 4 upregulation [77]. Phosphorylase kinase G2 (PHKG2) regulates the availability of iron to lipoxygenase and lipids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with labile bis-allylic hydrogen atoms [78]. The abundance and localization of PUFAs determine the degrees of lipid peroxidation [78]. And free fatty acids are substrates for the synthesis of lipid signaling media, but PUFAs and free fatty acids must be esterified to membrane phospholipids and oxidized to participate in ferroptosis [78, 79]. In this process, ACSL4 catalyzes fatty acids to form acyl-CoAs which promotes fatty acid oxidation or lipid biosynthesis [80]. The research indicates that lipid oxidation upon GPX4 inhibition requires ACSL4 [80]. Further, GPX4-ACSL4 double-knockout cells show marked resistance to ferroptosis, which means ACSL4 is a component essential for ferroptosis execution and sensitive to ferroptosis [80]. Meanwhile, ACSL4 deficiency is accompanied by a significant and preferential decrease of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) species [80]. PEs containing arachidonic acid, which are located upstream of lipid peroxidation, are key phospholipids that drive ferroptosis via oxidation and lipoxygenase. Lipid peroxidation is the driving force of cell death in ferroptosis [79], and heme-mediated lipid peroxidation may be particularly important. Heme degradation products, such as iron, have been shown to regulate inflammation, apoptosis, and antioxidant defense by heme oxygenase and isozymes, including hmox1 and hmox2 [81]. hmox1 affects vascular tension through its antioxidant activity, but hmox2 enhances cerebral blood flow during hypoxia by regulating the hydrogen sulfide pathway [81]. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation products are used as potential biomarkers of ischemic stroke. Indeed, multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that lipid peroxidation is positively correlated with the severity of neurological deficits [82, 83].

Amino acid metabolism imbalance promotes ferroptosis. The step in which glutaminolysis produces glutamate is catalyzed by glutaminase 1 and glutaminase 2 in ferroptosis [84]. Glutaminase 1 inhibitor suppresses ferroptosis and protects tissues from ischemia-reperfusion injury by ablating glutaminolysis [84]. Besides, glutaminase 2 is the p53 target gene, and upregulation of glutaminase 2 results in p53-dependent ferroptosis [85]. Glutaminolysis and the glutamine-fueled intracellular metabolic pathway [84] also contribute to cysteine deprivation and increase of glutamate levels, which activates glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors and accelerates neuronal iron uptake [86]. Because cysteine availability is the limiting factor for the biosynthesis of glutathione, some cells that are resistant to ferroptosis induced by system xc⁻ inhibitors leverage the transsulfuration pathway to biosynthesize cysteine from methionine and subsequently bypass the requirement for cystine import via the cystine/glutamate antiporter system xc⁻ [74]. In addition, the mevalonate pathway produces antioxidants or activates selenocysteine transfer RNA, which enhances GPX4 expression [36]. Consistent with these findings, extracellular glutamate concentrations are markedly increased in MCAO rats, which accelerates neuronal iron uptake and results in excitotoxicity-related cell death [86, 87].

3. Ferroptosis in CIRI

Restoring the cerebral circulation following a period of occlusion reestablishes tissue oxygenation, which leads to CIRI [88, 89]. Because reperfusion aggravates metabolic dysfunction and structural destruction, CIRI is the main factor associated with the high mortality and disability rates for ischemic stroke [90]. The extent of tissue injury is directly related to the extent of blood flow reduction and to the length of the ischemic period, and it also affects the levels of cellular adenosine triphosphate and intracellular pH [91]. Furthermore, the release of adenosine triphosphate modulates alpha 1-adrenergic receptor signaling. One study has explained that alpha 1-adrenergic receptor is critical for perfusion redistribution: activity of the receptor is a prerequisite for redistribution of cerebral blood flow, but the receptor subtype may determine the magnitude of redistribution responses [92]. Therefore, activation of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor pathway is a potential strategy for decreasing infarct size in CIRI. On the other hand, CIRI promotes the activation of cell death programs, including apoptosis, autophagy-associated cell death, ferroptosis, and necroptosis, by pattern-recognition molecules such as toll-like receptors, which recruit and activate immune system and complement system components [93]. Related research has revealed that activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) suppresses toll-like receptor-mediated stimulation of dendritic cells [94], thereby inhibiting the immune system. Besides, an agonist of PPAR-γ reduces hematoma volume and then decreases iron content from blood accessing to the brain, which attenuates iron overload [95]. In other words, marked decreases in PPAR-γ expression [96] contribute to the activation of ferroptosis in CIRI. Another study has found that PPAR-γ and ACSL4 both promote fat deposition [97]. Besides, ACSL4 inhibition prior to reperfusion suppresses ferroptosis because low expression of ACSL4 improves GPX4 expression and reduces ferroptotic marker levels [98]. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that ferroptosis is dependent on iron or iron-dependent ROS [99, 100]. Iron overload causes prolonged upregulation of transport receptors, increases peripheral iron uptake via the BBB, and exacerbates the risk of hemorrhagic transformation [101]. Besides, iron overload also enhances basal serum lipid peroxidation after early t-PA administration [101]. Related research has found that t-PA restores blood flow to the brain but prolonged reperfusion also results in CIRI [102]. Notably, targeted iron-mediated oxidative stress extends the time window for the treatment of ischemia or reperfusion events [58]. Lipid and amino acid metabolism is also imbalanced in CIRI. For example, the activity levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) are increased, and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GPX4 are decreased in a CIRI mouse model and an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cell model [103]. Therefore, therapeutics for iron-mediated oxidative stress are effective for CIRI.

Mitochondria are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and function, and mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases [104]. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO obviously rescues doxorubicin cardiomyopathy, supporting oxidative damage of mitochondria as a major mechanism in ferroptosis-induced heart damage [105]. More importantly, ferrostatin-1 and iron chelation also alleviate heart failure induced by I/R in mice [105]. Another research has indicated that ubiquitin-specific protease 22, a member of the deubiquitinase family, protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via the SIRT1-p53/SLC7A11-dependent inhibition of ferroptosis-induced cardiomyocyte death [106]. These findings highlight that targeting ferroptosis serves as a cardioprotective strategy for cardiomyopathy prevention [107, 108]. The similar research in the central nervous system indicated that ferroptosis may be also an emerging target in CIRI [109]. A study has found that the levels of lncRNA PVT1 are upregulated and miR-214 levels are downregulated in plasma of acute ischemic stroke patients [109]. PVT1 silencing or miR-214 overexpression significantly reduces infarct size and suppresses ferroptosis in CIRI mice. PVT1 overexpression or miR-214 silencing markedly abolishes the effects of ferrostatin-1 on ferroptosis indicators except for TFR1 expression [109]. Carthamin yellow, a flavonoid compound extracted from safflower, has been reported to inhibit Fe (II) and ROS accumulation and reverse ACSL4, TFR1, GPX4, and ferritin heavy chain 1 protein expression levels in the brain of CIRI rats [110].

As the protein associated with iron metabolism, TFR has two types, TFR1 and TFR2. The expression of TFR1 is increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus on the ischemic side [111]. TFR2 is an iron modulator transcribed in two isoforms, TFR2α and TFR2β [112]. It has been reported that TFR2β increased in wild-type mouse hearts subject to I/R, and both TFR2β null mouse hearts are protected against I/R injury (about 40% smaller infarct size compared to wild-type mouse hearts) [112]. TFR2β-KI (lacking TFR2β mouse model) hearts have showed an increased ferritin heavy chain and a decreased FPN1, while LCKO-KI (selective inactivation of liver TFR2α in KI mice) hearts have presented an upregulation of ferritin-L chain and DMT1/hepcidin-RNA [112]. Another central nerve study indicated that TFR2β deletion exerts neuroprotection against dopaminergic degeneration and against Parkinson’s disease- and aging-related iron overload [113]. However, the efficacy of the regulation of TFR2β on the CIRI remains unclear; further research should be carried out.

4. Necroptosis

Cells undergoing necroptosis have the morphological characteristics of necrotic cells and signal regulation similar to that of apoptotic cells. Necroptosis is a programmed cell death pathway under the precise regulation of a series of intracellular factors [88, 114]. The main morphological manifestations of necroptosis are membrane pore formation, cell swelling, cell membrane rupture, and cell content release [7]. In addition, necroptosis is mediated by RIP1 activation and RIP3 and MLKL phosphorylation [115, 116].

Coordinated and interdependent RIP1 phosphorylation and ubiquitination in the necrotic complex are important factors in necroptosis [117]. Almost half of the amino acid sequences of RIP1 and RIP3 are shared, and the topological features of these proteins are similar [118]. The intermediate domain of RIP1 contains a receptor-interacting protein homotypic interaction motif (RHIM) that binds to the RHIM in RIP3, which forms a necrosome [114]. Moreover, the critical necrosome constituents RIP1 and RIP3 play roles as signaling intermediates during MLKL activation. MLKL protein inhibition or inactivation is necessary for necroptosis [119, 120]. Necroptosis represents the intersection of apoptosis and necrosis. However, the downstream signaling pathway of necroptosis, unlike that of apoptosis, is not linked with caspase [88, 121]. Factors related to necroptosis include the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, hypoxia, and other environmental stimuli. The TNFR superfamily, the main factor of necroptosis, has been deeply researched. Its relationship with necroptosis is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: The mechanisms of necroptosis in ischemic stroke. After ischemic stroke, the content of TNF-α is increased and then it triggers the formation of complex I and complex II which converts into necrosome in the presence of caspase-8 inhibition. In this process, the change of RIP1 activation and RIP3 and MLKL phosphorylation accelerate necroptosis. TRADD: TNF receptor-associated death domain; TRAF: TNF receptor-associated factor; FADD: Fas-associating with death domain; cIAP: cellular inhibitors of apoptosis protein.

The binding of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and death receptors, such as TNFR1, contributes to the binding of RIP1 and death receptors [122]. Complex I, which consists of RIP1 and many death receptors, forms complex II through the deubiquitinase cylindromatosis (CYLD). When RIP1 deubiquitination and caspase-8 are inhibited, RIP3 binds to RIP1, which forms complex IIb (necrosome) including RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL. The formation of necrosome is based on the similar N-terminal kinase domain and the shared RHIM of the C-terminus between RIP1 and RIP3 [100, 123]. Necroptosis is linked with RIP1 deubiquitination. In contrast, RIP1 ubiquitination leads to the recruitment of the I kappa B kinase complex and transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1, which activates the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and MAPK pathways [124–127] and subsequently suppresses programmed cell death. Furthermore, increased RIP1 ubiquitination impairs RIP1 and RIP3 phosphorylation [128]. The occurrence of necroptosis is related to MLKL phosphorylation by RIP3 [129]. In addition, the downstream factor of RIP3, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, increases ROS levels to induce mitochondrial dysfunction [130]. Phosphorylation of RIP3 and MLKL activates phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGAM5) and then induces necroptosis [131, 132] in collaboration with dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) which is a dynamics-related protein that mediates mitochondrial fission, fusion, and mitophagy [133]. Moreover, RIP3 induces mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening via the endoplasmic reticulum stress/calcium overload/ROS pathway [114]. Therefore, the RIP1/RIP3 complex and MLKL phosphorylation are key participants in and specific biochemical markers of necroptosis [134].

5. Necroptosis in Cerebral Ischemia and CIRI

Necroptosis has two different outcomes for disease progression. On the one hand, necroptosis promotes cell death and neuroinflammation in the contexts of several neurodegenerative conditions [135] and then induces cardiomyocyte injury [136]. On the other hand, necroptosis may produce an immune response, which prevents tumor progression or produces an immunosuppressive microenvironment [137]. However, the recruited inflammatory response promotes tumor progression [137]. Specifically, necroptosis attenuates inflammation induced by TNF-α and lipopolysaccharide, which is beneficial to intracellular pathogens that trigger this type of cell death by dampening the host immune response [138].

Sequential expression of TNF-α is found primarily in the neurons and glia of the infarction core in ischemic stroke, and dying cells are also detected in this area [139]. These above indicate that stimulation of the Fas/TNFR family triggers cell death and then aggravates cerebral ischemia and CIRI [6, 129]. Relevant research has proven that necroptosis activation leads to acute injury in the infarct area of an MCAO/reperfusion (MCAO/R) mouse model [8]. Besides, changes of necroptosis markers are time dependent in CIRI, and the peak time of necroptosis is 12 hours after reperfusion [140]. The findings indicate that RIP3 deletion, MLKL deletion, or necroptosis loss-of-function is the potential therapeutic strategy for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke [8].

Microglia, the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, undergo necroptosis in diverse pathological processes. Microglia are macrophage-like cells of the central nervous system with two possible phenotypes: the M1 phenotype, which expresses proinflammatory factors, and the M2 phenotype, which expresses anti-inflammatory factors [141]. Activated microglia release proinflammatory cytokines and promote cell necroptosis [70]. In one study, a model simulating ischemia is constructed with neurons expressing RIP3, and these neurons produce proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-18 and TNF-α in vitro [142]. In contrast, ischemic RIP3-deficient neurons secrete the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 [142]. Thus, RIP3 and MLKL induce microglial polarization towards the M1 phenotype. Further research has suggested that M1 microglia and their receptors induce epithelial cell injury and BBB destruction [7].

6. Crosstalk between Ferroptosis and Necroptosis

Ferroptosis and necroptosis are different forms of cell death, but multiple lines of structural, functional, and mechanistic evidence indicate that crosstalk occurs between them (Figure 3).

Figure 3: The mechanisms of signaling crosstalk between ferroptosis and necroptosis in ischemic stroke. Cysteine, HSP90, and MPTP opening are the positive factors of necroptosis; HSP90 and MPTP opening accelerate ferroptosis, while cysteine suppresses ferroptosis by promoting GSH formation.

6.1. MPTP Opening

Ferroptosis is characterized morphologically as follows: the presence of abnormally small normal mitochondria with condensed mitochondrial membranes; decreased numbers of, or a lack of, mitochondrial cristae; outer mitochondrial membrane rupture; and an electron lucent nucleus [73, 143, 144]. Moreover, nuclear membrane damage is induced prior to cytoplasmic membrane damage in ferroptosis [144]. Necroptosis is morphologically characterized by cellular organelle swelling, cell membrane rupture, and dilation of the perinuclear space [7, 144]. These results show that the structural changes associated with ferroptosis occur mainly in mitochondria and are characterized by mitochondrial atrophy, while the structural changes associated with necroptosis occur in multiple organelles, including mitochondria [145, 146]. However, these changes eventually result in cell membrane rupture, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, and MPTP opening. MPTP opening leads to mitochondrial energetic dysfunction, organelle swelling, rupture [147], and typically ferroptosis [148] and necroptosis [149]. Ischemic stroke and subsequent CIRI promote ROS production in the mitochondria of neuronal cells, and the MPTP is deeply involved in this process [150]. Some studies have shown that RIP3 upregulation leads to calcium influx, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activation, xanthine oxidase expression, and excess ROS production in the ischemic environment [149]. Meanwhile, RIP3 upregulation also induces MPTP opening via endoplasmic reticulum-calcium-xanthine oxidase signaling pathways [149, 151–154]. The changes above eventually result in increased membrane permeability and mitochondrial swelling and dysfunction [149, 151–154]. In addition, necrosome promotes MPTP opening and ROS generation, which ultimately leads to TNF-α-independent necroptosis [20]. GSH reduction and GPX4 inhibition contribute to lipoxygenase activation and calcium influx, which induces MPTP opening and mitochondrial dysfunction [18]. On the other hand, lipoxygenase activation and GPX4 inhibition aggravate lipid peroxide production, which induces ferroptosis formation [155]. Iron overload, one of the mechanisms of ferroptosis, has been shown to trigger MPTP opening and necroptosis via induction of ROS accumulation in osteoblastic cells [156]. Furthermore, ROS-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are known to promote structural and functional injury in the nervous system [157]. Other studies have indicated that endoplasmic reticulum stress is linked with ferroptosis via toxic lipid peroxides [158]. Besides, ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress response activation are induced by system xc⁻ inhibition [158]. Aside from cell membrane and mitochondrial injury, another common pathological feature of ferroptosis and necroptosis is BBB damage. Notably, macrophage and microglial activation is found in ferroptotic tissue [17].

6.2. Cysteine and HSP90

The cysteine plays important roles in both ferroptosis and necroptosis in the central nervous system. Three cysteines (C257, C268 and C586) in RIP1 form intermolecular disulfide bonds, which induce ROS production, subsequently inducing RIP1 autophosphorylation on serine residue 161. The autophosphorylation enables RIP1 to recruit RIP3, which forms a functional necrosome [159]. In addition, cysteine can be converted to cystine in most tissues. As a cystine/glutamate antiporter, SLC7A11 transports cystine to downregulate ferroptosis [38]. Therefore, SLC7A11 plays a key role in antioxidant defense. Besides a key regulator of ferroptosis, SLC7A11 is also a target for coordinating immunotherapy with radiotherapy [160]. For example, SLC7A11 inhibition leads to mixed-type cell death via ferroptosis and necroptosis in a context-dependent manner in hepatocellular carcinoma cells [161].

Moreover, some studies have found that substances containing cysteine play vital roles in the outcomes of ferroptosis and necroptosis. For example, one novel study found that knockdown of progranulin which is a secreted glycoprotein and cysteine-rich growth factor, significantly promotes necroptosis in MCAO mice [162]. In addition, progranulin-regulated ischemic stroke is associated with ROS accumulation [162]. MCAO mice with progranulin knockdown manifest severe oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased MDA content and reduced SOD activity [162]. Therefore, progranulin is a common regulator in ferroptosis and necroptosis. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) contains 6 cysteines, and the expression of HSP90 is increased during OGD injury [19]. HSP90 not only has beneficial influences in cells but also stabilizes some death signal proteins and promotes cell death [19, 163]. In addition, Triad3A, an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, promotes the downregulation of RIP1 [21]. RIP1 forms a complex with Triad3A and HSP90. TNF-α-initiated stimulation does not alter the binding of HSP90 to RIP1, which means that both Triad3A and HSP90 may cooperatively regulate the homeostasis of RIP1 [21]. The finding also indicates that HSP90 promotes the formation of the RIP1/RIP3 complex [19]. Another study has indicated that HSP90-associated chaperone-mediated autophagy promotes GPX4 degradation and ferroptosis formation by regulation of LAMP2A stability [16]. An inhibitor of HSP90, 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide (CDDO), blocks necroptosis by inhibiting RIP1 activation, which means HSP90 accelerates RIP1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, consistent with the interaction of HSP90 and GPX4 [15, 16], CDDO suppresses GPX4 degradation and ferroptosis formation by blocking chaperone-mediated autophagy [164]. Another HSP90 inhibitor tanespimycin (17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin) has been proved to exert inhibitory effect on both necroptosis and ferroptosis in HT-22 cells treated with TNF-α/zVAD.fmk or erastin [164]. Tanespimycin also improves neurobehavior of subarachnoid hemorrhage rats via HSP90/RIP3/NOD-like receptor family pyrin-domain containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway [165]. Except for that, general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) expression is increased in MCAO mice [166]. Besides, HSP90 improves the activity and lever of GCN2 [167]. Further research has proven that the GCN2-eIF2α-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) pathway is the downstream of RIP1-RIP3-MLKL. And ATF4-regulated gene, glutathione-specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase 1 (CHAC1), is the downstream of GCN2-eIF2α-ATF4 pathway [168]. Cystine starvation induces necroptosis and ferroptosis through the activated GCN2-eIF2α-ATF4 pathway in the triple-negative breast cancer cells [168]. Therefore, we speculate that as a common regulatory node between necroptosis and ferroptosis, HSP90 is the potential therapeutic target and its inhibitor suppresses necroptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic stroke through the GCN2-eIF2α-ATF4 signaling pathway.

Based on the mechanisms of ferroptosis and necroptosis, the mechanisms of drugs against ischemic stroke targeting ferroptosis or necroptosis are explained from several perspectives below (Tables 2 and 3).

Table 2: Pharmacotherapies targeting ferroptosis and necroptosis against cerebral ischemia or ischemic stroke. BCAS: bilateral common carotid artery stenosis.

Pharmacotherapy
Subject
Effects
References

Ferroptosis

DFO
MCAO rats
Decreases infarct volume
[24]

Statin
Acute ischemic stroke patients
Reduces cholesterol and enhances early reperfusion
[173, 175]

Vitamin B12
Lacunar stroke patients
MCAO model; one patient
Protects the BBB; improves neurological function; endothelial cell protection
[25, 176, 177]

Promethazine
HT1080 cell ferroptosis model; MCAO model
Suppresses ferroptosis; an excellent therapeutic effect; a good ability to permeate the BBB
[178]

Naotaifang
MCAO rats
Reduces ROS, MDA, and iron accumulation
[27]

Carvacrol
Ischemic stroke gerbils
Reduces lipid peroxidation levels and increases GPX4 expression
[26]

Ferroptosis; necroptosis

17-DMAG
MCAO mice; OGD-subjected bEnd.3 cells
Protects the BBB; inhibits HSP90 expression; suppresses inflammation
[186]

Necroptosis

Nec-1
BCAS mice
Inhibits RIP1 and RIP3 to reduce inflammation and improve cognitive function
[30]

Nec-1
MCAO rats
Decreases phosphorylated RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, and phosphorylated MLKL levels and the numbers of phosphorylated RIP1⁺ neurons
[188]

Necrosulfonamide
MCAO mice
Reduces MLKL expression and infarct volume and improves neurological function
[189]

Dabrafenib
Focal ischemic brain injury model mice
Reduces TNF-α mRNA levels and infarct size
[31]

Infliximab
tMCAO rats
Reduces mitochondrial damage, cytoplasm transparency, and BBB permeability
[7]

Gsk872+RIP3 siRNA
MCAO mice; OGD-subjected HT-22 cells
Reduces RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, and phosphorylated MLKL levels to protect the neurological system
[171]

Ligustroflavone
MCAO rats
Reduces RIP3, MLKL, and phosphorylated MLKL levels to improve neurological function
[190]

Table 3: Pharmacotherapies against CIRI targeting ferroptosis and necroptosis. BBCAO/R: bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion.

Pharmacotherapy
Subject
Effect
References

Ferroptosis

Metformin
BBCAO/R rats
Reduces GPX, SOD, MDA, and catalase levels
[191]

Galangin
MCAO/R gerbils
Increases the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4; hippocampal neuron protection
[192]

Xinshao formula
MCAO/R rats
Increases the activity of SOD and GPX4; decreases the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase and the content of NO, ROS, and MDA
[196]

Carthamin yellow
MCAO/R rats
Decreases Fe (II) and ROS accumulation and MDA lever; increases GSH and GPX4 lever
[110]

Edaravone
MCAO/R rats
Reduces ROS generation, cerebral infarct size, and neurological defects
[198]

Necroptosis

Cyclosporine-A
BBCAO/R rats
Inhibits MPTP opening; reduces RIP1 and RIP3 levels
[199]

Nec-1
MCAO/R rats
Suppresses RIP1-RIP3 interaction and RIP3 activation; decreases the dead rate of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region
[200]

β-Caryophyllene
OGD/R neuron cell; MCAO/R mice
Decreases TNF-α, IL-1β, and toll-like receptor 4 levels; decreases RIP1 and RIP3 expression and MLKL phosphorylation
[202]

Emricasan+ponatinib
MCAO/R rats
Decreases RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL expression; reduces the activity of caspase-8
[203]

7. Pharmacotherapies for Ischemic Stroke Targeting Ferroptosis and Necroptosis

At present, the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke involves intervention measures to restore blood flow via drug-based or mechanical thrombolysis. However, these measures have limited success, and there are no effective intervention or treatment measures to protect the brain against cell death [169, 170]. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that ferroptosis accelerates ischemic stroke, and ferroptosis inhibition can significantly reduce disease severity and facilitate functional recovery [170].

Deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator widely used to treat iron overload, reduces the cerebral infarct volume in MCAO rats and suppresses ferroptosis by promoting erythropoietin synthesis and increasing hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha (HIF-α) levels [24]. Although HIF-α plays an adverse role in ischemic stroke [171], it induces human umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells to produce Epac1, which improves cerebral blood flow and promotes neurite outgrowth following ischemic stroke [172]. Ferroptosis is also suppressed by lipophilic antioxidants, including statins and vitamin B12. For example, as inhibitors of the hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase enzyme, statins inhibit lipid biosynthetic pathway, which reduces infarct size, neurological deficits, and adverse events in 1712 patients with acute ischemic stroke [173]. Apart from exhibiting lipid-lowering activity, statins have also been proven to be effective in improving endothelial function, increasing early reperfusion [174], and attenuating inflammatory and oxidative stress-related damage [175]. These effects reduce lipid peroxidation, protect the BBB, and prevent free iron from entering brain tissue, which suppresses ferroptosis. Homocysteine has been proven to be an adverse factor in ischemic stroke, because homocysteine activates microglia and induces proinflammatory cytokine release and promotes lipid peroxidation. Therefore, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) reduces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation by lowering homocysteine levels [25]. The changes are beneficial to inhibit ferroptosis, protect the integrity of endothelial cells and the BBB, promote neural repair, and improve recovery in ischemic stroke [25, 176, 177]. In addition to vitamin B12, the most potent compound 2-(1-(4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl) phenyl) ethyl)-10H-phenothiazine (51) of promethazine has a good ability to permeate the BBB and good therapeutic effect in MCAO model [178]. Meanwhile, it also suppresses erastin-induced ferroptosis [178]. Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that acts as inhibiting glutamate release in the hippocampal CA3 field [179], which attenuates ferroptosis induced by glutamate excitotoxicity [180], increases cerebral blood flow in hypoperfused rat brains, protects neurologic function, and reduces infarct size [181, 182]. However, a research found that the leptin level is high in patients and mice after acute ischemic stroke [183]. The high leptin lever upregulates inflammatory factor lever [183], mediates GPX4 downregulation, and accelerates iron overload, which eventually leads to ferroptosis [184]. Therefore, leptin has become a potential target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. In addition to the synthetic drugs above, Chinese herbal medicines are critical in pharmacotherapies for ischemic stroke. For example, naotaifang, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, reduces the ROS levels and lipid peroxidation production [27]. It also increases the expression of GPX4 and GSH, which inhibits ferroptosis via the TFR1/DMT1 and SCL7A11/GPX4 pathways [27]. Apart from traditional Chinese medicinal compounds, the effects of the chemical components of Chinese herbs in pharmacotherapies for ischemic stroke have received increasing attention. Carvacrol has been found to reduce lipid peroxidation levels and increase GPX4 expression, which help suppress ferroptosis and protect the structure and function of hippocampal neurons in an ischemic stroke gerbil model [26]. Schisandrin may be a potential therapeutic agent targeting ferroptosis in ischemic stroke because schisandrin A protects mitochondria and eliminates excessive ROS [185], thereby reducing lipid peroxidation levels to inhibit ferroptosis.

In addition to pharmacotherapies targeting ferroptosis, other pharmacotherapies targeting necroptosis and the crosstalk between ferroptosis and necroptosis in ischemic stroke have also been further researched. HSP90 is the common regulator of ferroptosis and necroptosis. The selective HSP90 inhibitor17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG), which is currently undergoing clinical trials for cancer treatment, effectively inhibits BBB disruption by preventing the degradation of tight junction proteins, suppressing inflammatory responses, and decreasing HSP90 expression after ischemic stroke [186]. Necroptosis inhibitors also prevent other forms of cell death, while ferroptosis inhibitors cannot. For example, the RIP1 inhibitor necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) has been proven to inhibit ferroptosis in a necroptosis/RIP1-independent manner [187]. Meanwhile, Nec-1 decreases RIP1 and RIP3 protein levels, which suppresses necroptosis and improves cognitive function [30, 188]. A potent small-molecule inhibitor of MLKL, necrosulfonamide, binds to MLKL’s N-terminal CC region and reduces MLKL expression, which inhibits necroptosis, diminishes infarct volume, and improves neurological function [189]. Dabrafenib, an RIP3 inhibitor at micromolar concentrations, reduces TNF-α mRNA levels and attenuates TNF-α activation in macrophages, which decreases infarct size and protects neuron cells after focal cerebral ischemic injury [31]. As a monoclonal antibody widely used in inflammatory disease, infliximab can also be used to reduce mitochondrial damage, attenuate cytoplasmic transparency, and decrease BBB permeability and necroptosis formation in the ischemic area, eventually ameliorating neurological deficits [7]. In addition, inhibition of necroptosis-related gene expression has been intensively investigated as an ischemic stroke treatment. For example, Gsk872 (RIP3 inhibitor) combined with RIP3 siRNA reduces the levels of RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL and MLKL phosphorylation, which protects the neurological system [171]. Chinese herbs or their active ingredients reduce the content of necroptosis-related proteins (RIP3, MLKL, and phosphorylated MLKL), which suppresses necroptosis and improves neurological function in rats following MCAO [190].

8. Pharmacotherapies against CIRI Targeting Ferroptosis and Necroptosis

Cerebral structural and neurological damage becomes more severe with prolonged CIRI which results from delayed diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment remain critical for rapid cerebral blood flow recovery and for reducing the incidence rates of complications and recurrent stroke. However, thrombolytic drugs, which are commonly used as the therapeutics against CIRI, have declined in clinic because of their many contraindications, their narrow therapeutic windows, and the risk of hemorrhagic transformation [9, 10]. Current research seeks to explore potential therapeutic strategies for CIRI. Notably, oxidative stress, MPTP opening, cell death, and inflammation all lead to CIRI. Therefore, pharmacotherapies targeting these mechanisms are important for improving the efficacy of CIRI treatment, reducing adverse reactions, and attenuating secondary injury which results from reperfusion.

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of CIRI. Some pharmacotherapies, such as metformin [191] and galangin [192], suppress ferroptosis and exert cerebroprotective effects in the context of CIRI by decreasing lipid peroxidation production or increasing the expression of GPX4. Apart from that efficacy, metformin (1,1-Dimethylbiguanide), a hypoglycemic drug, leads to glucose starvation which results in the phosphorylation and activation of adenosine 5-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) [193, 194]. This kinase suppresses PUFA-containing lipid biosynthesis and then inhibits ferroptosis [194, 195]. In addition to galangin, the therapeutics of other Chinese herbs and their bioactive constituents against CIRI cannot be ignored. For example, Xinshao formula, a traditional Chinese medicinal compound, exerts a protective effect against CIRI in rats by increasing the activity of SOD and GPX4 and decreasing the content of ROS and MDA [196]. Therefore, the formula attenuates oxidation or lipid peroxidation and then suppresses cell death induced by oxidative stress. The herbal carthamin yellow, as well as herb combination huangqi-honghua and its main components astragaloside IV and hydroxysafflor yellow A, significantly reduces the infarct volume after 24 h of reperfusion, increases the activity of antioxidants (e.g., SOD and GPX4), and decreases the levels of MDA, ROS, and Fe (II) [110, 197]. These botanicals may play an important role in neuroprotection by suppressing ferroptosis.

Edaravone is an upstream suppressor of ROS [150, 198]. Cyclosporine-A is a potent inhibitor of CYPD, and it acts on the prominent mediator of the MPTP [199]. The two drugs inhibit MPTP opening in ischemic stroke and then inhibit neuronal cell death [150, 198, 199]. MPTP opening is a common factor of ferroptosis and necroptosis, which is characterized primarily by RIP1 activation and RIP3 and MLKL phosphorylation. The RIP1 inhibitor Nec-1 reduces the cell death ratios of neurons after CIRI by inhibiting RIP1-RIP3 interaction and RIP3 activation [200]. Besides, the combination of Nec-1 and a glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibitor can downregulate the levels of necroptosis-related proteins (RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL), decrease glial scar markers, and ameliorate chronic inflammatory responses, which suppress astrocyte necroptosis after CIRI [201]. β-Caryophyllene (8-methylene-4,11,11-trimethylbicyclo [7.2.0] undec-4-ene), an odoriferous bicyclic sesquiterpene, alleviates cerebral ischemic injury or CIRI by inhibiting necroptotic neuronal death and inflammatory response [202]. The therapy of emricasan (an inhibitor of caspases) combined with ponatinib (a potential inhibitor for RIP1/3) against CIRI has been reported to ameliorate necroptosis by reducing the activities of capase-8 and downregulating the expressions of RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL [203]. In addition, maresin 1, a new docosahexaenoic acid-derived proresolving agent, reduces inflammatory responses and attenuates mitochondrial damage, which may suppress TNF-α-induced necroptosis, diminish neuronal degeneration, and attenuate CIRI [204]. Vanillic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid), a neuroprotective agent against CIRI, downregulates the levels of proinflammatory factors and upregulates the levels of anti-inflammatory factors [205], which can be inferred that it exerts a neuroprotective effect against TNF-α-induced necroptosis. Necroptosis inhibitors also attenuate ferroptosis. For example, mifepristone (11β-(4-dimethylamino)phenyl-17β-hydroxy-17-(1-propynyl)estra-4,9-dien-3-one) stimulates PPAR-γ to attenuate iron overload, which suppresses ferroptosis and then alleviates CIRI in rats [90]. Besides, mifepristone also inhibits inflammatory cytokines [96] to suppress necroptosis induced by TNF-α. As the PARP inhibitor, PJ34 (N-(6-oxo-5, 6-dihydro-phenanthridin-2-yl)-2-(N, N-dimethylamino)acetamide) enhances the DNA binding and transactivation of PPAR-γ [206], which inhibits PARP-related necroptosis and ferroptosis. Therefore, PJ34 promotes vascular protection and attenuates reperfusion injury induced by delayed rt-PA administration [90].

9. Conclusion and Perspectives

Stroke is becoming a crucial issue for people in developing countries, especially in China, where ischemic stroke has become the leading cause of death owing to its high morbidity, mortality, and disability rates. Several types of cell death pathways have been discovered. Besides, relevant research has demonstrated their roles in organismal homeostasis and the existence of crosstalk between them. Clarification of the molecular mechanisms underlying this crosstalk will not only contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the cell death machinery but also shed light on new pharmacotherapeutic targets for related diseases. Further study needs to focus on the crosstalk regarding molecular mechanisms and interplay among different types of regulated necrosis, especially ferroptosis and necroptosis. Pharmacological intervention of two or more types of regulated necrosis simultaneously may have advantages in clinic to prevent and treat ischemic stroke [207]. Nevertheless, many questions must be answered before this crosstalk can be exploited for clinical applications. For example, the roles of receptors in necroptosis/ferroptosis crosstalk have not been fully elucidated. Moreover, the precise mechanisms of some drugs, especially traditional Chinese medicine, targeting ferroptosis and necroptosis in ischemic stroke need to be further explored. In addition, thrombolytic therapy for cerebral ischemic injury has been limited due to its narrow therapeutic time window, induction of CIRI, and high risk of hemorrhagic transformation. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches, including traditional Chinese medicinal formula, that affect multiple targets and prevent neuronal death (including ferroptotic and necroptotic death) are urgently needed to be developed. Solving the problems will provide crucial support for exploiting the mechanisms of crosstalk between ferroptosis and necroptosis and intervening ischemic stroke. Overall, much work is needed before these problems can be solved.

Abbreviations

ACSL4: | Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4
AMPK: | Adenosine 5-monophosphate-activated protein kinase
ATF4: | Activating transcription factor 4
BBB: | Blood–brain barrier
BBCAO/R: | Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion
BCAS: | Bilateral common carotid artery stenosis
CDDO: | 2-Amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide
CHAC1: | Glutathione-specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase 1
CIRI: | Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury
DFO: | Deferoxamine
DMT1: | Divalent metal transporter 1
Drp1: | Dynamin-related protein 1
FADD: | Fas-associated protein with death domain
FPN: | Ferroportin
GCN2: | General control nonderepressible 2
GPX4: | Glutathione peroxidase 4
GSH: | Glutathione
HIF-α: | Hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha
HSP90: | Heat shock protein 90
IL: | Interleukin
IRE: | Iron regulatory element
IRP: | Iron regulatory protein
JAK: | Janus kinase
L-OOH: | Lipid hydroperoxide
L-OH: | Lipid alcohol
MAPK: | Mitogen-activated protein kinase
MCAO: | Middle cerebral artery occlusion
MCAO/R: | Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion
MDA: | Malondialdehyde
MLKL: | Mixed-lineage kinase domain-like
MPTP: | Mitochondrial permeability transition pore
mRNA: | Messenger RNA
NADPH: | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
NF-κB: | Nuclear factor-kappa B
NO: | Nitric oxide
NTBI: | Non-transferrin-bound iron
OGD: | Oxygen-glucose deprivation
OGD/R: | Oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation
-OH: | Hydroxyl radical
PEs: | Phosphatidylethanolamines
PGAM5: | Phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5
PHKG2: | Phosphorylase kinase G2
RHIM: | Protein homotypic interaction motif
ROS: | Reactive oxygen species
PPAR-γ: | Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma
PUFAs: | Polyunsaturated fatty acids
RIP1: | Receptor-interacting protein 1
rt-PA: | Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator
SOD: | Superoxide dismutase
STEAP3: | Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 3
TFR1: | Transferrin receptor 1
TLRs: | Toll-like receptors
TNF: | Tumor necrosis factor
TNFR: | Tumor necrosis factor receptor
TNF-α: | Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
t-PA: | Tissue plasminogen activator
17-DMAG: | 17-Dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin.

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

None of the authors of this article have any conflicts of interest to declare.

Authors’ Contributions

Yue Zhou and Jun Liao wrote the manuscript. Zhigang Mei and Jinwen Ge conceived and supervised this work and revised the manuscript. Xun Liu provided some positive suggestions and amended the manuscript. All authors approved the final version. Yue Zhou and Jun Liao contributed equally to this work.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81774033 and 81774174), the Key Projects of Hunan Province Education Department (20A366), and the fund for Youth Top Talent Project of Health and Family Planning Commission of Hubei Province (EWT-2019-48).

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