Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity
Abstract
Sepsis is a complex, life-threatening disease characterized by multiple organ failure due to an abnormal systemic response to infection. Its multifaceted pathophysiology involves a dynamic balance linked pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, coagulation activation, and altered cellular functions. Although different kinds of regulated cell death (RCD) are implicated in sepsis pathogenesis, ferroptosis has emerged as an iron-mediated cell death. Molecular drivers of ferroptosis include iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibition of Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), eventually causing cell death. Current pre-clinical studies are aimed at modulating the ferroptosis pathway, and clinical studies are exploring the therapeutic strategies across diseases. The connection between sepsis and ferroptosis is bound by cellular abnormalities participating in several RCD mechanisms, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy. These cellular abnormalities encompass mitochondrial shrinkage, collapse of cristae, increased membrane density, activation of unfolded protein response, hydrolytic enzyme leakage, and enhanced lysosomal degradation. Additionally, genes associated with ferroptosis, such as Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 (MAPK14), Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-Chain Family Member (ACSL4), Ribonucleotide Reductase Regulatory Subunit M2 (RRM2), and GPX4, have altered expression during sepsis, which impacts both the susceptibility and the progression of ferroptotic cell death.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
The authors acknowledge PSG College of Pharmacy for providing the necessary facilities and academic resources for this work.
Project Number
1
Ethical Statement
This article does not contain any studies involving human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.
Thanks
The authors express their sincere thanks to all Co-authers , for their support and critical insights.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Basic Pharmacology
Journal Section
Review
Authors
Publication Date
September 1, 2026
Submission Date
October 23, 2025
Acceptance Date
August 19, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 46 Number: 3
APA
Jawahar, S., S, K., Mc, S., & Gunasekaran, V. (2026). Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, 46(3), 261-272. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1809259
AMA
1.Jawahar S, S K, Mc S, Gunasekaran V. Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity. HUJPHARM. 2026;46(3):261-272. doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1809259
Chicago
Jawahar, Sathish, Karthika S, Shalinipriya Mc, and Venkatesh Gunasekaran. 2026. “Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46 (3): 261-72. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1809259.
EndNote
Jawahar S, S K, Mc S, Gunasekaran V (September 1, 2026) Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46 3 261–272.
IEEE
[1]S. Jawahar, K. S, S. Mc, and V. Gunasekaran, “Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity”, HUJPHARM, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 261–272, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.52794/hujpharm.1809259.
ISNAD
Jawahar, Sathish - S, Karthika - Mc, Shalinipriya - Gunasekaran, Venkatesh. “Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46/3 (September 1, 2026): 261-272. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1809259.
JAMA
1.Jawahar S, S K, Mc S, Gunasekaran V. Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity. HUJPHARM. 2026;46:261–272.
MLA
Jawahar, Sathish, et al. “Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, vol. 46, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 261-72, doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1809259.
Vancouver
1.Sathish Jawahar, Karthika S, Shalinipriya Mc, Venkatesh Gunasekaran. Interplay Between Sepsis and Ferroptosis: Unraveling Molecular Insights on Cellular Integrity. HUJPHARM. 2026 Sep. 1;46(3):261-72. doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1809259