The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and Ferroptosis in Heme-Mediated Activation of Human Platelets

Abstract

Hemolysis, a process by which the destruction of red blood cells leads to the release of hemoglobin, is a critical event observed during hemolytic disorders. Under oxidative stress conditions, hemoglobin can release its heme prosthetic group, which is highly cytotoxic and can catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to several undesired redox reactions in the cells. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that heme can mediate the activation and death of human platelets through ferroptosis, which is an iron-dependent form of nonapoptotic cell death. This study also suggests that the heme-mediated lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in platelets may play an important role in hemolytic disorders.