Targeting The Nrf2/HO-1 Aixs: A Therapeutic Strategy Against Regulated Cell Death In Alzheimer’S Disease

The paper suggests that activating a specific cellular defense pathway, Nrf2/HO-1, could be a promising treatment strategy for Alzheimer’s disease by boosting the brain’s ability to fight off various forms of cell death and inflammation.

Imagine your brain has a built-in shield against damage, constantly working to protect its cells. In conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, this shield, known as the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, becomes weakened, leaving brain cells vulnerable. This pathway is crucial because it helps cells defend against harmful substances called free radicals (a process called antioxidant defense), manage iron levels, calm inflammation, and ensure cells properly clean and repair themselves. When this shield is down, brain cells can die in various ways, including through processes like ferroptosis (iron-dependent cell death), pyroptosis (inflammatory cell death), and apoptosis (programmed cell death). This research explores how boosting the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway could be a powerful way to strengthen the brain’s natural defenses. By activating this pathway, we might be able to protect brain cells from these different forms of damage and inflammation, offering a new, comprehensive approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease, especially as we age.

---

Source: link to paper