Fig. 1: Pharmacological inhibition of PTPMT1 sensitizes HCC to ferroptosis.

Pharmacological inhibition of PTPMT1 in Hep 3B cells was achieved through treatment with alexidine dihydrochloride (AD, the chemical structure is shown in (A)), while cystine deprivation-induced ferroptosis was induced using Erastin and Sorafenib for 24 h. Subsequently, cell viability in each group was assessed via the CCK-8 assay (B, C). Additionally, cell death in various treatment groups (AD (1 μM) and Erastin (10 μM)) was confirmed using PI staining (D). Scale bar = 50 μm. To analyze the ferroptosis level, the expression of PTGS2 (E) and lipid peroxidation (F) were measured using qRT-PCR and BODIPY staining, respectively. Results are expressed as mean ± SD, and the P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. *:P < 0.05 compared between two groups.