CHAC1 as a Novel Contributor of Ferroptosis in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells with Oxidative Damage

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the elderly population. With aging and the accumulated effects of environmental stress, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage, which can lead to retinal degeneration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of how RPE responds and progresses under oxidative damage are still largely unknown. Here, we reveal that exogenous oxidative stress led to ferroptosis characterized by Fe²⁺ accumulation and lipid peroxidation in RPE cells. Glutathione specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase 1 (<i>Chac1</i>), as a component of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, plays a pivotal role in oxidative-stress-induced cell ferroptosis via the regulation of glutathione depletion. These results indicate the biological significance of <i>Chac1</i> as a novel contributor of oxidative-stress-induced ferroptosis in RPE, suggesting its potential role in AMD.