Fig. 4 Role of Iron Metabolism, Ferroptosis and Metal Ion Oxidants in Atheroma Development.  Routine recycling of erythrocytes and hemolytic stress induced by ROS and extracellular signaling leads to release of free iron ions into circulation, which are either taken up by PMBCs, or act as non-enzymatic oxidants of LDL-C/PUFAs. Macrophagic iron is also essential in catalytic activation of the iron-dependent peroxidation enzymes, LOXs, PTGSs, and thromboxane A synthase (TXAS), and subsequent downstream enzymes including platelet activation by protease activated receptor 1 (PAR-1), resulting in pro-atherogenic pathway activation and atheroma progression. Figure generated using  BioRender . Fig. 4