ZnO NPs induce miR-342-5p mediated ferroptosis of spermatocytes through the NF-κB pathway in mice
Liu G. Lv J. Wang Y. Sun K. Gao H. Li Y. Yao Q. Ma L. Kochshugulova G. Jiang Z.
December 2024BioMed Central Ltd
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
2024#22Issue 1
Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) is one of the metal nanomaterials with extensive use in many fields such as feed additive and textile, which is an emerging threat to human health due to widely distributed in the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the toxic effects associated with ZnO NPs. Although previous studies have found accumulation of ZnO NPs in testis, the molecular mechanism of ZnO NPs dominated a decline in male fertility have not been elucidated. Results: We reported that ZnO NPs exposure caused testicular dysfunction and identified spermatocytes as the primary damaged site induced by ZnO NPs. ZnO NPs led to the dysfunction of spermatocytes, including impaired cell proliferation and mitochondrial damage. In addition, we found that ZnO NPs induced ferroptosis of spermatocytes through the increase of intracellular chelatable iron content and lipid peroxidation level. Moreover, the transcriptome analysis of testis indicated that ZnO NPs weakened the expression of miR-342-5p, which can target Erc1 to block the NF-κB pathway. Eventually, ferroptosis of spermatocytes was ameliorated by suppressing the expression of Erc1. Conclusions: The present study reveals a novel mechanism in that miR-342-5p targeted Erc1 to activate NF-κB signaling pathway is required for ZnO NPs-induced ferroptosis, and provide potential targets for further research on the prevention and treatment of male reproductive disorders related to ZnO NPs. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)
Ferroptosis , NF-κB , Testis , Zinc oxide nanoparticle
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College of Animal Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic, Breeding and Reproduction in Shaanxi Province, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Shaanxi, Yangling, 712100, China
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station of Zhenba County, Shaanxi, Hanzhong, 723600, China
College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100080, China
Department of Food Security, Agrotechnological Faculty, Kozybayev University, 86, Pushkin Street, Petropavlovsk, 150000, Kazakhstan
College of Animal Science and Technology
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station of Zhenba County
College of Animal Science and Technology
Department of Food Security
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