Ferroptosis-related proteins orchestrate aortic dissection: unveiling novel molecular signatures and therapeutic avenues

AD (Aortic dissection) is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. Initially, through integrated bioinformatics analysis, we screened proteomic data from AD and control samples. By combining this with a ferroptosis-related database, 22 key ferroptosis-associated proteins were identified. Multidimensional analyses (including heatmaps and volcano plots) were used to visualize differences in protein abundance and pathway disruptions. Functional annotation via GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that these proteins are involved in critical biological processes such as oxidative stress and inflammation. Validation through Western blot, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed that these proteins (HO-1, SNCA) are significantly upregulated in AD and exhibit distinct cellular distribution patterns. Single-cell analysis further identified specific cell populations that drive ferroptosis-related events. These findings underscore the role of ferroptosis as a key molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of AD. By integrating insights from proteomics with cellular-level distribution patterns, this study identified novel therapeutic targets, marking a significant breakthrough in the understanding and potential treatment of this devastating disease.