STAT3/POSTN/GSTP1/JNK Axis Orchestrates Ferroptosis in Nucleus Pulposus Cells:A Potential Therapeutic Target for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

ABSTRACT: Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of the STAT3/POSTN/GSTP1/JNK axis in ferroptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolic imbalance in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) during intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and to explore therapeutic strategies targeting this axis. Methods: Using integrated multi-omics sequencing, transcriptional regulation assays (ChIP, dual‑luciferase reporter), protein interaction analysis (Co‑IP), and other molecular biology approaches, we systematically elucidated that the regulatory role of the STAT3/POSTN/GSTP1/JNK axis in ferroptosis of NPCs during IDD. Functional validation was performed in POSTN‑edited cell and rat models as well as in a needle‑puncture‑induced rat IDD model. A small‑molecule candidate targeting this axis was identified through virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Results: POSTN expression increased during ferroptosis and induced ferroptosis and ECM metabolic imbalance in NPCs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. STAT3 was identified as a transcriptional regulator of POSTN and interacted with POSTN to form a self-amplifying positive feedback loop, accelerating ferroptosis progression. Furthermore, POSTN impaired the binding of the GSTP1/JNK complex, leading to the depletion of cellular GSH. Chemical screening identified Pristimerin (PN) as a direct activator of GSTP1, targeting the STAT3/POSTN/GSTP1/JNK axis and delaying IDD progression. Conclusion: This study revealed the important role of the STAT3/POSTN/GSTP1/JNK axis in regulating ferroptosis and ECM metabolism in NPCs and highlighted PN as a promising candidate therapeutic agent for IDD. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying IDD and offer new targeted therapeutic avenues for IDD.

ORGANISM(S): Rattus Norvegicus

SUBMITTER: Xuewen Kang  

PROVIDER: PXD079732 | iProX | Sun Jun 14 00:00:00 GMT+01:00 2026

REPOSITORIES: iProX