Acid ceramidase changes fat molecules and increases vulnerability to ferroptosis in aging WI-38 cells

Acid ceramidase (ACase) may regulate the sensitivity of senescent cells to ferroptosis through lipid peroxidation.

• Cellular senescence is associated with irreversible cell cycle arrest and a specific secretory phenotype.
• Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death process linked to lipid peroxidation in cell membranes.
• Senescent human fetal lung fibroblasts showed altered sensitivity to RSL3-induced ferroptosis due to changes in fatty acid composition.
• ACase breaks down ceramides, impacting the membrane lipid environment and influencing ferroptosis sensitivity.
• Senescent cells may sensitize adjacent non-senescent cells to ferroptosis through paracrine signaling.

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