Copper as the driver of the lncRNA-TCONS-6251/miR-novel-100/TC2N axis: Unraveling ferroptosis in duck kidney

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of oxidative cell death. Competitive endogenous RNAs diminish the inhibitory impact of microRNAs on other transcripts by chelating effects, which affects ferroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. However, the role of ferroptosis in excessive copper (Cu)-induced renal injury via the ceRNA axis has not been fully illustrated yet. Herein, we found that Cu induced ferroptosis in duck renal tubular epithelial cells, as indicated by the increase in intracellular iron levels and lipid peroxidation, upregulation of PTGS2 and ACSL4 levels, reduced GPX4 and GSH levels. In addition, knockdown miR-novel-100 could effectively decreased ferroptosis induced by Cu. Overexpression of miR-novel-100 or TC2N knockdown resulted in the stimulation of ROS and the upregulation of ferroptosis indicators. However, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) decreased the stimulation of ROS and the ferroptosis effect caused by miR-novel-100 overexpression. In conclusion, Cu induced ferroptosis by activating the lncRNA-TCONS-6251/miR-novel-100/TC2N axis to cause ROS accumulation.