Senescence-associated lysosomal dysfunction impairs cystine deprivation-induced lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis

Abstract Senescent cells, characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and inflammatory factor secretion, promote various age-related pathologies. Senescent cells exhibit resistance to ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we di...

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Main Authors: Tze Mun Loo, Xiangyu Zhou, Yoko Tanaka, Sho Sugawara, Shota Yamauchi, Hiroko Kawasaki, Yuta Matsuoka, Yuki Sugiura, Shinya Sakuma, Yoko Yamanishi, Satoshi Yotsumoto, Kosuke Dodo, Yoshitaka Shirasaki, Takashi Kamatani, Akiko Takahashi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61894-9
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Summary:Abstract Senescent cells, characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and inflammatory factor secretion, promote various age-related pathologies. Senescent cells exhibit resistance to ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we discovered that lysosomal acidity was crucial for lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis induction by cystine deprivation. In senescent cells, lysosomal alkalinization causes the aberrant retention of ferrous iron in lysosomes, resulting in resistance to ferroptosis. Treatment with the V-ATPase activator EN6 restored lysosomal acidity and ferroptosis sensitivity in senescent cells. A similar ferroptosis resistance mechanism involving lysosomal alkalinization was observed in pancreatic cancer cell lines. EN6 treatment prevented pancreatic cancer development in xenograft and Kras mutant mouse models. Our findings reveal a link between lysosomal dysfunction and the regulation of ferroptosis, suggesting a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of age-related diseases.
ISSN:2041-1723