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  2. 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone induces ferroptosis through ERO1A/GPX4 regulatory axis in cholangiocarcinoma

2',4'-dihydroxychalcone induces ferroptosis through ERO1A/GPX4 regulatory axis in cholangiocarcinoma

  • Phytomedicine. 2025 Aug 25:147:157192. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2025.157192.
Tong Wang 1 Xuebing Zhou 2 Nanmiao Wang 2 Zhaoxia Su 2 Yao Bi 2 Longlong Sun 2 Lu Liu 2 Yingshi Piao 3 Junjie Piao 3 Zhenhua Lin 2 Cheng Hua Jin 4 Renbo An 5 Xiangshan Ren 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Gynecology ,Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, 133000, Jilin Province, China; Department of Pathology & Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Central Laboratory, Yanbian University Hospital,Yanji, China.
  • 2 Department of Pathology & Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Central Laboratory, Yanbian University Hospital,Yanji, China.
  • 3 Department of Pathology & Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China.
  • 4 Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain ,Yanbian University, Ministry of Education, Yanji, China.
  • 5 Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain ,Yanbian University, Ministry of Education, Yanji, China. Electronic address: anrb@ybu.edu.cn.
  • 6 Department of Pathology & Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission & Central Laboratory, Yanbian University Hospital,Yanji, China. Electronic address: renxsh@ybu.edu.cn.
Abstract

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) , an aggressive Cancer often detected late, carries a grim prognosis. 2',4'-Dihydroxychalcone (2',4'-DHC), a flavonoid monomer isolated from Empetrum nigrum, has demonstrated notable anti-tumor activity in multiple Cancer types. However, its therapeutic mechanism in cholangiocarcinoma remains poorly understood, especially regarding the regulation of Ferroptosis, a mechanism that has not yet been fully elucidated in this disease.

Purpose: This study reveals that 2',4'-DHC induces Ferroptosis through modulation of the ERO1A/GPX4 signaling axis, thereby suppressing the progression of cholangiocarcinoma. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights and propose a potential therapeutic strategy for this highly refractory malignancy.

Methods: Proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition assays were employed to determine the effects of 2',4'-DHC and ERO1A on CCA cells. Electron microscopy and Ferroptosis markers confirmed the involvement of Ferroptosis. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations established direct targeting between 2',4'-DHC and ERO1A. Ubiquitination assays validated Ferroptosis potentiation. The anti-tumor efficacy of 2',4'-DHC was assessed in murine xenograft models.

Results: In our study, we first demonstrated that 2',4'-DHC inhibited the proliferation, migration and EMT progression of CCA cells, by inducing Ferroptosis, Mechanistically, 2',4'-DHC targeted ERO1A, leading to GPX4 ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. In vivo, 2',4'-DHC suppressed tumor growth and significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of oxaliplatin, without causing evident toxicity to major organs.

Conclusion: 2',4'-DHC induces Ferroptosis in CCA cells through the ERO1A/GPX4 axis and inhibits malignant progression. 2',4'-DHC drug-adjuvant therapy may enhance the efficacy of current Anticancer treatments. It also holds promise as a prognostic molecular marker and therapeutic target in CCA.

Keywords

2′; 4 ′-dihydroxychalcone; Cholangiocarcinoma; ERO1A; Ferroptosis; GPX4.

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