AngII promotes hippocampal neuron ferroptosis via inhibiting the PPARγ/ACSL3 axis leading to hypertension-related cognitive impairment

Although hypertension (HYP) consistently predicts cognitive decline, the precise pathogenic cascade within the brain remains elusive. Here we interrogated whether the PPARγ/ACSL3 axis governs HYP-elicited hippocampal ferroptosis and consequent cognitive dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the role of the PPARγ/ACSL3 axis in HYP-induced neuronal ferroptosis and cognitive impairment. In the HYP rat model, behavioral tests (Morris water maze and Y-maze tests) demonstrated that rats in the hypertensive group had a significant decline in learning and memory. Mechanistically, the AngII-AT1R axis was found to be activated in the hippocampus, accompanied by typical ultrastructural features of ferroptosis, increased iron accumulation, elevated oxidative stress, and downregulation of PPARγ, ACSL3, and key ferroptosis defense proteins (GPX4, XCT, and FPN1). In vitro, ACSL3 overexpression alleviated AngII-induced neuronal ferroptosis. Furthermore, the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone attenuated lipid peroxidation and iron overload by transcriptionally upregulating ACSL3, a direct regulatory relationship confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. In conclusion, under hypertensive conditions, BRAS activation inhibits the PPARγ/ACSL3 axis via the AngII-AT1R pathway, aggravates lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in hippocampal neurons, and ultimately contributes to cognitive decline. This study provides new experimental evidence for the mechanism research and therapeutic target exploration of HYP-related cognitive impairment.