Authors: Jing Du, Lingyan Yu, Xinyi Yang, Fangchun Shao, Jun Xia, Weidong Jin, Yinhao Zhang, Guojie Lei, Ying Wang, Yanchun Li and Jun Zhang
Cell Communication and Signaling, 22 February 2024
Scientists use the Maestro Z analyzer to assess paraquat-mediated cell death and a potential therapeutic target.
Exposure to the herbicide paraquat (PQ) can be deadly and there is currently no antidote. In this study, researchers assessed ferroptosis as a mechanism of paraquat-mediated cell death and as a potential therapeutic target for paraquat poisoning. To evaluate PQ-induced cytotoxicity of lung epithelial cells in vitro, the team used Axion’s noninvasive, label-free Maestro Z live-cell analyzer, observing dose-dependent cytotoxicity in both A549 and BEAS-2B cells. Together with other results, the authors conclude that their findings offer “an in-depth study on the mechanism of PQ intoxication, describes a framework for the further understanding of ferroptosis in PQ-associated biological processes, and demonstrates modulation of iron metabolism may act as a promising therapeutic agent for the management of PQ toxicity.
