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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death are leading causes of death in the elderly and underlie various neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases involve complex pathophysiological mechanisms, including inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis. Compounds derived from deep-sea fungi exhibit low toxicity and potent neuroprotective effects, offering a promising source for drug development. In this study, we isolated 44 natural products from deep-sea-derived fungi and identified isobisvertinol (17) as a compound with anti-inflammatory and ferroptosis-inhibiting effects. Using LPS-induced microglial inflammation and RSL3-induced neuronal ferroptosis models, we found that 17 targets TLR4 to provide neuroprotection. Molecular docking studies revealed that 17 inhibits TLR4 activation by occupying the hydrophobic pocket at the TLR4-MD2 binding site. Additionally, 17 suppresses TLR4, reducing p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and inhibits ferroptosis by decreasing lipid peroxidation and modulating mitochondrial membrane potential. Metabolomic analysis showed that 17 rescues alterations in multiple metabolic pathways induced by RSL3 and increases levels of antioxidant metabolites, including glutamine, glutamate, and glutathione. In summary, our results indicate that isobisvertinol (17) targets TLR4 in neural cells to reduce inflammation and inhibit p38 MAPK phosphorylation, while regulating metabolic pathways, mainly GSH synthesis, to provide antioxidant effects and prevent ferroptosis in neurons.

Details

Title
Deep-Sea-Derived Isobisvertinol Targets TLR4 to Exhibit Neuroprotective Activity via Anti-Inflammatory and Ferroptosis-Inhibitory Effects
Author
Zi-Han, Xu 1 ; Ming-Min, Xie 2 ; Chun-Lan, Xie 3 ; Xian-Wen, Yang 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Jun-Song, Wang 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Center for Molecular Metabolism, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 200 Xiaolingwei Street, Nanjing 210094, China; [email protected]; School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, 3 Xueyuan Road, Haikou 571199, China; [email protected]; Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, 184 Daxue Road, Xiamen 361005, China; [email protected] 
 Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, 184 Daxue Road, Xiamen 361005, China; [email protected] 
 School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, 3 Xueyuan Road, Haikou 571199, China; [email protected] 
 Center for Molecular Metabolism, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 200 Xiaolingwei Street, Nanjing 210094, China; [email protected] 
First page
49
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
16603397
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3159541744
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.