Replicative senescence: an old lives' tale?

Telomere shortening is an in vivo marker of myocyte replication and aging

To determine whether adult cardiac myocytes are capable of multiple divisions and whether this form of growth is restricted to a subpopulation of cells that retain this capacity with age, telomere lengths were measured in myocyte nuclei isolated from the left ventricle of fetal and neonatal Fischer 344 rats and rats at 4, 12, and 27 months after birth. Two independent methodologies were used for this analysis: laser scanning cytometer and confocal microscopy. In each case, fluorescence intensity of a peptide nucleic acid probe specific for telomeric sequence was evaluated. The two techniques yielded comparable results. Telomeric shortening increased with age in a subgroup of myocytes that constituted 16% of the entire cell population. In the remaining nondividing cells, progressive accumulation of a senescent associated nuclear protein, p16(INK4), was evidenced. In conclusion, a significant fraction of myocytes divides repeatedly from birth to senescence, counteracting the continuous death of cells in the aging mammalian rat heart.

Telomerase activity in rat cardiac myocytes is age and gender dependent

Telomerase replaces telomeric repeat DNA lost during the cell cycle, restoring telomere length. This enzyme is present only during cell replication and its activity reflects the extent of proliferation. Whether cardiac myocytes are terminally differentiated cells is still a highly controversial issue, and the possibility of myocyte division is frequently rejected. On this basis, telomerase was measured in pure preparations of myocytes, isolated from rats throughout their lifespan. Fetal and neonatal rat myocytes were used as positive control cells. Contrary to expectation, the authors report that telomerase activity was detectable in pure preparations of young adult, fully mature adult, and senescent ventricular myocytes, defeating the dogma that this cell population is permanent and irreplaceable. Aging decreased 31% telomerase activity in male myocytes. An opposite effect occurred in female myocytes in which this enzyme increased 72%. This differential adaptation between the two genders in the rat model may be relevant to observations in humans; myocyte loss occurs in men as a function of age, whereas myocyte number is preserved in women. The greater growth potential of female myocytes may be critical for the longer lifespan and decreased incidence of heart failure in women.

Induction of replicative senescence biomarkers by sublethal oxidative stresses in normal human fibroblast

We tested the long-term effects of sublethal oxidative stresses on replicative senescence. WI-38 human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) at early cumulative population doublings (CPDs) were exposed to five stresses with 30 microM tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP). After at least 2 d of recovery, the cells developed biomarkers of replicative senescence: loss of replicative potential, increase in senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, overexpression of p21(Waf-1/SDI-1/Cip1), and inability to hyperphosphorylate pRb. The level of mRNAs overexpressed in senescent WI-38 or IMR-90 HDFs increased after five stresses with 30 microM t-BHP or a single stress under 450 microM H(2)O(2). These corresponding genes include fibronectin, osteonectin, alpha1(I)-procollagen, apolipoprotein J, SM22, SS9, and GTP-alpha binding protein. The common 4977 bp mitochondrial DNA deletion was detected in WI-38 HDFs at late CPDs and at early CPDs after t-BHP stresses. In conclusion, sublethal oxidative stresses lead HDFs to a state close to replicative senescence.

Somatic mutations and aging: a re-evaluation

Aging has been explained in terms of an accumulation of mutations in the genome of somatic cells, leading to tissue atrophy and neoplasms, as well as increased loss of function. Recent advances in transgenic mouse modeling and genomics technology have created, for the first time, the opportunity to begin testing this theory. In this paper the existing evidence for a possible role of somatic mutation accumulation in aging will be re-evaluated on the basis of the evolutionary logic of aging and recent insights in genome structure and function. New strategies for investigating the relationship between genome instability, mutation accumulation and aging will be discussed.

Regulation of a senescence checkpoint response by the E2F1 transcription factor and p14(ARF) tumor suppressor

Normal cells do not divide indefinitely due to a process known as replicative senescence. Human cells arrest growth with a senescent phenotype when they acquire one or more critically short telomeres as a consequence of cell division. Recent evidence suggests that certain types of DNA damage, chromatin remodeling, and oncogenic forms of Ras or Raf can also elicit a senescence response. We show here that E2F1, a multifunctional transcription factor that binds the retinoblastoma (pRb) tumor suppressor and that can either promote or suppress tumorigenesis, induces a senescent phenotype when overexpressed in normal human fibroblasts. Normal human cells stably arrested proliferation and expressed several markers of replicative senescence in response to E2F1. This activity of E2F1 was independent of its pRb binding activity but dependent on its ability to stimulate gene expression. The E2F1 target gene critical for the senescence response appeared to be the p14(ARF) tumor suppressor. Replicatively senescent human fibroblasts overexpressed p14(ARF), and ectopic expression of p14(ARF) in presenescent cells induced a phenotype similar to that induced by E2F1. Consistent with a critical role for p14(ARF), cells with compromised p53 function were immune to senescence induction by E2F1, as were cells deficient in p14(ARF). Our findings support the idea that the senescence response is a critical tumor-suppressive mechanism, provide an explanation for the apparently paradoxical roles of E2F1 in oncogenesis, and identify p14(ARF) as a potentially important mediator of the senescent phenotype.

Activation of a cAMP pathway and induction of melanogenesis correlate with association of p16(INK4) and p27(KIP1) to CDKs, loss of E2F-binding activity, and premature senescence of human melanocytes

There is strong evidence that the senescent phenotype, whether induced by telomere shortening, oxidative damage, or oncogenic stimuli, is an important tumor suppressive mechanism. The melanocyte is a cell of neural crest origin that produces the pigment melanin and can develop into malignant melanomas. To understand how malignant cells escape senescence, it is first crucial to define what genes control senescence in the normal cell. Prolonged exposure to high levels of cAMP results in accumulation of melanin and terminal differentiation of human melanocytes. Here we present evidence that activation of a cAMP pathway correlates with multiple cellular changes in these cells: (1) increased expression of the transcription factor microphthalmia; (2) increased melanogenesis; (3) increased association of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDK-Is) p27(KIP1) and p16(INK4) with CDK2 and CDK4, respectively; (4) failure to phosphorylate the retinoblastoma protein (pRB); (5) decreased expression of E2F1, E2F2, and E2F4 proteins; (6) loss of E2F DNA-binding activity; and (7) phenotypic changes characteristic of senescent cells. Senescent melanocytes have potent E2F inhibitory activity, because extracts from these cells completely abolished E2F DNA-binding activity that was present in extracts from the early proliferative phase. We propose that increased activity of the CDK-Is p27 and p16 and loss of E2F activity in human melanocytes characterize a senescence program activated by the cAMP pathway. Disruption of cAMP-mediated and melanogenesis-induced senescence may cause immortalization of human melanocytes, an early step in the development of melanomas.

Mismatch repair, G(2)/M cell cycle arrest and lethality after DNA damage

The role of the mismatch repair pathway in DNA replication is well defined but its involvement in processing DNA damage induced by chemical or physical agents is less clear. DNA repair and cell cycle control are tightly linked and it has been suggested that mismatch repair is necessary to activate the G(2)/M checkpoint in the presence of certain types of DNA damage. We investigated the proposed role for mismatch repair (MMR) in activation of the G(2)/M checkpoint following exposure to DNA-damaging agents. We compared the response of MMR-proficient HeLa and Raji cells with isogenic variants defective in either the hMutLalpha or hMutSalpha complex. Different agents were used: the cross-linker N-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosourea (CCNU), gamma-radiation and the monofunctional methylating agent N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). MMR-defective cells are relatively sensitive to CCNU, while no differences in survival between repair-proficient and -deficient cells were observed after exposure to gamma-radiation. Analysis of cell cycle distribution indicates that G(2) arrest is induced at least as efficiently in MMR-defective cells after exposure to either CCNU or ionizing radiation. As expected, MNU does not induce G(2) accumulation in MMR-defective cells, which are known to be highly tolerant to killing by methylating agents, indicating that MNU-induced cell cycle alterations are strictly dependent on the cytotoxic processing of methylation damage by MMR. Conversely, activation of the G(2)/M checkpoint after DNA damage induced by CCNU and gamma-radiation does not depend on functional MMR. In addition, the absence of a simple correlation between the extent of G(2) arrest and cell killing by these agents suggests that G(2) arrest reflects the processing by MMR of both lethal and non-lethal DNA damage.

Attenuated expression of 70-kDa heat shock protein in WI-38 human fibroblasts during aging in vitro

We examined the effects of cellular aging on the expression of the heat shock-inducible HSP70 gene in WI-38 diploid human fibroblasts serially passaged in vitro. The senescence of the cells was established by evaluating population doubling level, cell density at confluency, and cell morphology along with the detection of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity (histochemically detectable at pH 6), a reliable marker of aging in low-density cultures. A marked decrease in the synthesis and accumulation of the inducible HSP70 protein was observed in serum-fed late passage cells exposed to a severe heat shock (30 min at 45 degrees C) in comparison to early passage cells. However, the degree of HSF-DNA binding, monitored by gel retardation assay was similar in both early and late passage cells. Similarly, Northern blotting analysis indicated that comparable amounts of inducible HSP70 mRNA were present in the total RNA fraction, in the total polyadenylated RNA fraction, or in the nuclear polyadenylated RNA fraction extracted from both early and late passage cells. In contrast, much less inducible HSP70 mRNA was detected in the total cytoplasmic RNA fraction or in the polyadenylated cytoplasmic RNA fraction of late passage cells. Thus age-related differences in heat-induced HSP70 synthesis and accumulation observed in serum-fed WI-38 cells appeared to result from an impairment in the posttranscriptional processing of the HSP70 mRNA at a level following the polyadenylation step and preceding translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. When HF were serum deprived for 20 h before heat shock, the induction of HSP70 mRNA was less than 30% reduced in early passage cells in comparison to serum-fed cells; however, the level of HSP70 mRNA was markedly (over 80%) decreased in serum-deprived late passage cells. This result indicated that the presence of serum has a strong influence on heat shock-induced HSP70 gene expression in human fibroblasts aging in vitro.

The proliferative capacity of neonatal skin fibroblasts is reduced after exposure to venous ulcer wound fluid: A potential mechanism for senescence in venous ulcers

PURPOSE

We have previously shown that fibroblasts cultured from venous ulcers display characteristics of senescence and have reduced growth rates. Susceptibility of young fibroblasts to the microcirculatory changes associated with venous ulcers, such as macrophage trapping and activation, could explain the prevalence of senescent fibroblasts in these wounds.

METHODS

We tested the in vitro effect of venous ulcer wound fluid (VUWF), as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines known to be present in VUWF (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and TGF-beta1), on neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (NFFs). NFF growth rates, cellular morphology, and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) activity were determined in the presence or absence of VUWF and the above cytokines. VUWF TNF-alpha concentration and the effect of anti-TNF-alpha antibody on VUWF inhibitory activity were determined in samples obtained from four patients with venous ulcers.

RESULTS

NFF growth rates were significantly reduced by VUWF (42,727 +/- 6301 vs 3902 +/- 2191 P =. 006). TNF-alpha also significantly reduced NFF growth rates in a dose-dependent manner (P =.01). No significant growth-inhibitory activity was seen for IL-1alpha or TGF-beta. Incubation with VUWF significantly increased the percentage of SA-beta-Gal-positive fibroblasts in vitro on culture day 12 (P =.02). TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 had similar effects. TNF-alpha was detected in all VUWF tested, with a mean of 254 +/- 19 pg/mL.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the venous ulcer microenvironment adversely affects young, rapidly proliferating fibroblasts such as NFFs and induces fibroblast senescence. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 might be involved in this process. The role of other unknown inhibitory mediators, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, in venous ulcer development and impaired healing must be considered.

Human endothelial cell life extension by telomerase expression

Normal human endothelial cells, like other somatic cells in culture, divide a limited number of times before entering a nondividing state called replicative senescence. Expression of the catalytic component of human telomerase, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), extends the life span of human fibroblasts and retinal pigment epithelial cells beyond senescence without causing neoplastic transformation (Bodnar, A. G., Ouellette, M., Frolkis, M., Holt, S. E., Chiu, C. P., Morin, G. B., Harley, C. B., Shay, J. W., Lichtsteiner, S., and Wright, W. E. (1998) Science 279, 349-352; Jiang, X., Jimenez, G., Chang, E., Frolkis, M., Kusler, B., Sage, M., Beeche, M., Bodnar, A., Wahl, G., Tlsty, T., and Chiu, C.-P. (1999) Nat. Genet. 21, 111-114). Here, we show that both human large vessel and microvascular endothelial cells also bypass replicative senescence after introduction of hTERT. For the first time, we report that hTERT expression in these life-extended vascular cells does not affect their differentiated and functional phenotype and that these cells maintain their angiogenic potential in vitro. Furthermore, hTERT(+) microvascular endothelial cells have normal karyotype, and hTERT(+) endothelial cell strains do not exhibit a transformed phenotype. Relative to parental cells at senescence, hTERT-expressing endothelial cells exhibit resistance to induction of apoptosis by a variety of different conditions. Such characteristics are highly desirable for designing vascular transplantation and gene therapy delivery systems in vivo.

Mechanisms of life span determination in Caenorhabditis elegans

Molecular analysis of several gerontogenes of Caenorhabditis elegans has led to the discovery of at least two life span-controlling pathways. An insulin-like signaling cascade consisting of proteins encoded by the genes daf-2, age-1, akt-1, akt-2, daf-16 and daf-18 regulates dauer diapause, reproduction, and longevity. This pathway regulates all three processes systemically. daf-12 interacts with it, affecting dauer diapause and longevity. Life span extension mediated by this pathway probably results from the activation of an enhanced life-maintenance program, which is normally operative during dauer diapause. A different mechanism is specified by the clock genes clk-1, clk-2, clk-3 and gro-1, which regulate metabolic activity and the pace of many temporal processes including longevity. There is some controversy as to whether the life span extension observed in these mutants requires the activity of daf-16. All known gerontogenes appear to confer resistance to environmental stress, usually multiple stress factors, including oxidative stress, high temperature, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Caloric restriction extends longevity substantially, and may act by activating the enhanced life-maintenance program.

Age-dependent changes in the distribution of BrdU- and TUNEL-positive cells in the murine gingival tissue

BACKGROUND

Age-dependent morphological and cell kinetic changes of the gingival tissue seem to be related to the occurrence of periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the age-dependent changes in the distribution of BrdU- and TUNEL-positive cells in murine gingival tissue.

METHODS

Gingival tissue of the lower first molar region of 2-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 50-, 60-, 70- and 80-week-old mice was used in this study. BrdU- and TUNEL-positive cells were evaluated at the following 4 sites: 1) gingival epithelium (GE); 2) junctional epithelium (JE); 3) submucosal connective tissue of the gingival epithelium (GECT); and 4) submucosal connective tissue of the junctional epithelium (JECT).

RESULTS

No significant differences in the mean number of BrdU-positive cells at each site were demonstrated among the various age groups. No significant change in the mean number of TUNEL-positive cells was demonstrated in either the GE or JE groups among the various age groups. Meanwhile, a significant increase in the TUNEL-positive cells was observed in the GECT of mice 40 weeks or older, and in the JECT of mice 20 weeks or older.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that no age-dependent change in the cell proliferation or cell death occurred in the gingival and junctional epithelial layers as well as in the cell proliferation in the submucosal connective tissue. Meanwhile, a significant decrease in the cellular component of the submucosal connective tissue of both gingival and junctional epithelial layers caused by apoptosis occurred with aging. The decreased cellular component in the submucosal connective tissue thus seems to be related to either gingival recession or to the apical migration of the JE with aging. These morphological changes with aging possibly occur in humans and may be related to the susceptibility to periodontal disease in aged individuals.

Enzymatic and DNA binding properties of purified WRN protein: high affinity binding to single-stranded DNA but not to DNA damage induced by 4NQO

Mutations in the WRN gene result in Werner syndrome, an autosomal recessive disease in which many characteristics of aging are accelerated. A probable role in some aspect of DNA metabolism is suggested by the primary sequence of the WRN gene product. A recombinant His-tagged WRN protein (WRNp) was overproduced in insect cells using the baculovirus system and purified to near homogeneity by several chromatographic steps. This purification scheme removes both nuclease and topoisomerase contaminants that persist following a single Ni(2+)affinity chromatography step and allows for unambiguous interpretation of WRNp enzymatic activities on DNA substrates. Purified WRNp has DNA-dependent ATPase and helicase activities consistent with its homology to the RecQ subfamily of proteins. The protein also binds with higher affinity to single-stranded DNA than to double-stranded DNA. However, WRNp has no higher affinity for various types of DNA damage, including adducts formed during 4NQO treatment, than for undamaged DNA. Our results confirm that WRNp has a role in DNA metabolism, although this role does not appear to be the specific recognition of damage in DNA.

Immortalization of primary human keratinocytes by the helix-loop-helix protein, Id-1

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) DNA-binding proteins have been demonstrated to regulate tissue-specific transcription within multiple cell lineages. The Id family of helix-loop-helix proteins does not possess a basic DNA-binding domain and functions as a negative regulator of bHLH proteins. Overexpression of Id proteins within a variety of cell types has been shown to inhibit their ability to differentiate under appropriate conditions. We demonstrate that ectopic expression of Id-1 leads to activation of telomerase activity and immortalization of primary human keratinocytes. These immortalized cells have a decreased capacity to differentiate as well as activate phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein. Additionally, these cells acquire an impaired p53-mediated DNA-damage response as a late event in immortalization. We conclude that bHLH proteins play a pivotal role in regulating normal keratinocyte growth and differentiation, which can be disrupted by the immortalizing functions of Id-1 through activation of telomerase activity and inactivation of the retinoblastoma protein.

Age-dependent atrophy and microgravity travel: what do they have in common?

Space travel and extending human lifespan are two of the many advances of the twentieth century. However, both of these scientific wonders exact a price for their gains; i.e. deleterious effects on normal physiological processes. For example, both old age and prolonged microgravity travel are associated with atrophy in heart, muscle, and bone. The underlying signal transduction pathways, the control mechanisms for the processes of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, may prove to be similarly altered in both old age and microgravity travel. We suggest that the mechanical events involved in space travel provide a telescopic compression of lifespan changes in these tissues; if so, space travel provides an excellent opportunity to investigate how long-term degeneration occurs on Earth. With the aid of biochip technology for multi-factorial analysis, a platform can be generated to create therapeutic modalities to contain, retard, reduce, or prevent this tissue atrophy, either in space or on Earth.

p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induces permanent growth arrest with markers of replicative senescence in human tumor cells lacking functional p53

We have shown previously that wild type p53 can rapidly induce replicative senescence in EJ human bladder carcinoma cells lacking functional p53. A major effector of p53 functions is p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1, a potent cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 has been shown to be involved in both p53 dependent and independent control of cell proliferation, differentiation and death. To directly investigate the effects of p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 in the p53 response observed in EJ tumor cells, we established p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 inducible lines using the tetracycline-regulatable vector system. p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induction caused irreversible cell cycle arrest in both G1 and G2/M, and diminished Cdk2 kinase activity. In addition, p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induction led to morphological alterations characteristic of cells undergoing replicative senescence with morphological, biochemical and ultrastructural markers of the senescent phenotype. Furthermore, sustained p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 induction sensitized EJ cells to apoptotic cell death induced by mitomycin C, a cross-linking DNA damaging agent. These findings support the function of p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 as an inducer of replicative senescence and a major mediator of this phenomenon in response to p53. Moreover, our results imply that therapeutic intervention in human cancers might be aimed at sustained elevation of p21Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 expression.

Analysis of the capacity of extracts from normal human young and senescent fibroblasts to support DNA synthesis in vitro

Cytoplasmic extracts from early-passage (young), late-passage (senescent) normal human fibroblast (HF) cultures and immortalized human cell lines (HeLa, HT-1080, and MANCA) were analyzed for their ability to support semiconservative DNA synthesis in an in vitro SV40-ori DNA replication system. Unsupplemented extracts from the three permanent cell lines were demonstrated to be active in this system; whereas young HF extracts were observed to be minimally active, and no activity could be detected in the senescent HF extracts. The activity of these extracts was compared after supplementation with three recombinant human replication factors: (1) the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase alpha (DNA pol-alpha-cat), (2) the three subunits of replication protein A (RPA), and (3) DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I). The addition of all three recombinant proteins is required for optimum activity in the young and senescent HF extracts; the order of the level of activity is: transformed > young HF > senescent HF. Young HF extracts supplemented with RPA alone are able to support significant replicative activity but not senescent extracts which require both RPA and DNA pol-alpha-cat for any detectable activity. The necessary requirement for these factors is confirmed by the failure of unsupplemented young and senescent extracts to activate MANCA extracts that have been immunodepleted of DNA pol-alpha-cat or RPA. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that RPA, DNA pol-alpha, PCNA, and topo I levels are higher in the immortal cell types used in these studies. In the HF cells, levels of DNA pol-alpha-cat and PCNA are higher (per mg protein) in the low-passage than in the senescent cells. By contrast, RPA levels, as determined by immunocytochemical or Western blot studies, were observed to be similar in both young and senescent cell nuclei. Taken together, these results indicate that the low to undetectable activity of young HF extracts in this system is due mainly to reduced intracellular levels of RPA, while the senescent HF extracts are relatively deficient in DNA polymerase alpha and probably some other essential replication factors, as well as RPA. Moreover, the retention of RPA in the senescent HF nuclei contributes to the low level of this factor in the cytoplasmic extracts from these cells.

Attenuation of NF-kappaB signaling response to UVB light during cellular senescence

The ability of cells to adapt to environmental stresses undergoes a progressive reduction during aging. NF-kappaB-mediated signaling is a major defensive system against various environmental challenges. The aim of this study was to find out whether replicative senescence affects the response of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway to UVB light in human WI-38 and IMR-90 fibroblasts. The exposure of early passage fibroblasts to UVB light inhibited the proliferation and induced a flat phenotype similar to that observed in replicatively senescent fibroblasts not exposed to UVB light. The UVB radiation dose used (153 mJ/cm2) did not induce apoptosis in either early or late passage WI-38 fibroblasts. UVB exposure induced a prominent activation of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway both in early and in late passage WI-38 and IMR-90 fibroblasts. Interestingly, the response to UVB light was significantly attenuated in late passage fibroblasts. This attenuation was most prominent in DNA binding activities of nuclear NF-kappaB complexes. Similar senescence-related attenuation was also observed in the DNA binding activities of nuclear AP-1 and Sp-1 factors after UVB treatment. Immunoblotting and -cytochemistry showed an increase in nuclear localization of p50 and p65 components of NF-kappaB complexes. Supershift experiments showed that the specific NF-kappaB complexes contain p50 and p65 protein components but not p52 and c-Rel proteins. Cytoplasmic IkappaBalpha showed a marked decrease at protein level but an increase in phosphorylation after UVB treatment. Transient transfection assays with TK5-CAT and TK10-CAT plasmids carrying NF-kappaB-responsive sites of the TNFalpha promoter were used to analyze the functional activity of the NF-kappaB complexes. Results showed that UVB exposure induced an increase in NF-kappaB-driven CAT expression both in early and in late passage fibroblasts though the response was significantly stronger in early passage fibroblasts. Our results show that the induction of NF-kappaB-mediated signaling by UVB light is highly attenuated in senescent fibroblasts. This attenuation may reduce the stress resistance during cellular senescence.

Genetic analysis of hemopoietic cell cycling in mice suggests its involvement in organismal life span

Normal somatic cells undergo replicative senescence in vitro but the significance of this process in organismic aging remains controversial. We have shown previously that hemopoietic stem cells of common inbred strains of mice vary widely in cycling activity and that this parameter is inversely correlated with strain-dependent mean life span. To assess whether cell cycling and life span are causally related, we searched for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that contributed to variation of these traits in BXH and BXD recombinant inbred mice. Two QTLs, mapping to exactly the same intervals on chromosomes 7 and 11, were identified that were associated with variation of both cell cycling and life span. The locus on chromosome 11 mapped to the cytokine cluster, a segment that shows synteny with human chromosome 5q, in which deletions are strongly associated with myelodysplastic syndrome. These data indicate that steady-state cell turn-over, here measured in hemopoietic progenitor cells, may have a significant effect on the mean life span of mammals.

Transgenic mouse models of muscle aging

In the last decade transgenic animals have been become a powerful and exciting research model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular and physiological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and the regulation of specific gene expression. In the context of skeletal muscle development, transgenic mice and gene-targeting approaches have led to the definition of specific roles for Muscle Regulatory Factors (MRFs) during embryogenesis, although less is known about the molecular mechanism underlying skeletal muscle aging. Recent studies using specific models of transgenic mice have added new insights into the muscle aging process, providing a baseline for designing appropriate strategies to attenuate or to reverse the cumulative effects of aging. In this review we discuss some of the transgenic models currently available to address the molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle senescence. Given the complexity of the aging process, this review should be regarded as a presentation of works in progress rather than a comprehensive description of muscle aging.

Differential expression profiles of apoptosis-affecting genes in HIV-infected cell lines and patient T cells

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the molecular mechanisms of HIV-induced apoptosis.

DESIGN

The assessment of expression patterns for genes affecting the interrelated cell cycle and apoptosis processes in HIV-1LAI-infected T lymph oblastoid (CEM) cells, as well as CD4 and CD8 cells from HIV-infected individuals and controls.

METHODS

The kinetics of HIV infection in CEM cells were defined by flow cytometry of green fluorescent protein expression from a reporter vector. Apoptosis of CEM cells was measured by propidium iodine staining and flow cytometry. Gene expression levels were determined by a multiprobe RNase protection assay.

RESULTS

The infection and apoptosis of CEM cells were associated with enhanced expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L) and caspase 1 (ICE). There was increased expression of Bcl-2 and caspase 1 and decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21CIP1 in CD4 cells of HIV-infected individuals compared with uninfected controls. The CD8 cells of HIV-infected individuals exhibited increased expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), Bax and caspase 1 but, in contrast to the CD4 subset, they showed elevated expression of p21CIP1 and p16INK4a compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The Bax increase in CEM cells appears to be a direct effect associated with a high frequency of infection and apoptosis, because it was not found in the CD4 cells of patients. In contrast, the increase of Bax in the CD8 cells of patients seems to be an indirect effect. Increases in Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L) and caspase 1 in HIV-infected CEM cells may be caused by both direct and indirect mechanisms, because they also occurred in CD4 and CD8 cells of HIV-infected individuals. In addition, the low expression of p21CIP1 in the CD4 subset of HIV-infected individuals could promote apoptosis, whereas the high expression of p21CIP1 and p16INK4a in the CD8 subset may lead to a state of anergy, akin to replicative senescence.

Telomere shortening during aging of human osteoblasts in vitro and leukocytes in vivo: lack of excessive telomere loss in osteoporotic patients

We have compared the telomere length, as assessed by Southern analysis, of telomere restriction fragments (TRFs) generated by RsaI/HinfI digestion of genomic DNA in: (i) in vitro cultured human trabecular osteoblasts undergoing cellular aging; and (ii) peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) obtained from three groups of women: young (aged 20-26 years, n = 15), elderly (aged 48-85 years, n = 15) and osteoporotic (aged 52-81 years, n = 14). The mean TRF length in human osteoblasts undergoing aging in vitro decreased from an average of 9.32 kilobasepairs (kb) in middle-aged cells to an average of 7.80 kb in old cells. The rate of TRF shortening was about 100 bp per population doubling, which is similar to what has been reported for other cell types, such as human fibroblasts. Furthermore, there was a 30% decline in the total amount of telomeric DNA in senescent osteoblasts as compared with young cells. In the case of PBL, TRF length in the DNA extracted from young women was slightly longer (6.76 +/- 0.64 kb) than that from a group of elderly women (6.42 +/- 0.71 kb). A comparison of TRFs in the DNA extracted from the PBL from osteoporotic patients and from age-matched controls did not show any significant differences (6.47 +/- 0.94 versus 6.42 +/- 0.71 kb, respectively). Therefore, using TRF length as a marker for cellular aging in vitro and in vivo, our data comparing TRFs from osteoporotic patients and age-matched controls do not support the notion of the occurrence of a generalized premature cellular aging in osteoporotic patients.

Oxidative stress in microorganisms--I. Microbial vs. higher cells--damage and defenses in relation to cell aging and death

Oxidative stress in microbial cells shares many similarities with other cell types but it has its specific features which may differ in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. We survey here the properties and actions of primary sources of oxidative stress, the role of transition metals in oxidative stress and cell protective machinery of microbial cells, and compare them with analogous features of other cell types. Other features to be compared are the action of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) on cell constituents, secondary lipid- or protein-based radicals and other stress products. Repair of oxidative injury by microorganisms and proteolytic removal of irreparable cell constituents are briefly described. Oxidative damage of aerobically growing microbial cells by endogenously formed ROS mostly does not induce changes similar to the aging of multiplying mammalian cells. Rapid growth of bacteria and yeast prevents accumulation of impaired macromolecules which are repaired, diluted or eliminated. During growth some simple fungi, such as yeast or Podospora spp., exhibit aging whose primary cause seems to be fragmentation of the nucleolus or impairment of mitochondrial DNA integrity. Yeast cell aging seems to be accelerated by endogenous oxidative stress. Unlike most growing microbial cells, stationary-phase cells gradually lose their viability because of a continuous oxidative stress, in spite of an increased synthesis of antioxidant enzymes. Unlike in most microorganisms, in plant and animal cells a severe oxidative stress induces a specific programmed death pathway--apoptosis. The scant data on the microbial death mechanisms induced by oxidative stress indicate that in bacteria cell death can result from activation of autolytic enzymes (similarly to the programmed mother-cell death at the end of bacillary sporulation). Yeast and other simple eukaryotes contain components of a proapoptotic pathway which are silent under normal conditions but can be activated by oxidative stress or by manifestation of mammalian death genes, such as bak or bax. Other aspects, such as regulation of oxidative-stress response, role of defense enzymes and their control, acquisition of stress tolerance, stress signaling and its role in stress response, as well as cross-talk between different stress factors, will be the subject of a subsequent review.

Fibroblasts cultured from distal lower extremities in patients with venous reflux display cellular characteristics of senescence

PURPOSE

Venous reflux precedes the development of venous ulcers. Our earlier work showed that the fibroblasts that are cultured from these wounds display more characteristics of senescence. We evaluated fibroblast senescence in patients with venous reflux but without ulcers to further investigate the role of venous reflux in the predisposition to venous ulcers.

METHODS

Fibroblasts that were isolated from skin biopsy specimens of the "gaiter" area (distal) and of the ipsilateral thigh of the same patient (proximal) were compared. Twelve patients with venous reflux (9 patients in clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathologic classification 4; 3 patients in classification 5) with an average venous filling index of 5.45 mL/s and 4 patients without venous reflux were enrolled in the study. The growth rates, the response to basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), and the senescence markers (beta-galactosidase activity at a pH level of 6, unstimulated fibroblasts fibronectin protein, and messenger RNA levels) were determined for each cell population.

RESULTS

The number of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase positive cells (8.3% +/- 1.9% vs 2.2% +/- 0.8%; P =.008) and the level of cellular fibronectin protein (455.7 +/- 80 vs 210 +/- 51; P =.04) and messenger RNA (16.8 +/- 6.8 vs 13.5 +/- 5.7; P =.042) were significantly higher in the distal fibroblasts as compared with the proximal fibroblast cultures. The growth rates of the distal fibroblasts were lower when compared with the proximal fibroblasts (15,746 +/- 4287 cells/day vs 29,550 +/- 5035 cells/day; P <.002) but were not different in the presence of b-FGF (41,717 +/- 9542 cells/day vs 47,030 +/- 6133 cells/day; P =.53). In the patients without venous reflux, no site differences were noted in the growth rates or the senescence markers between the proximal and distal fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

Distal fibroblasts that are isolated from patients with venous reflux display more senescence characteristics than do proximal fibroblasts and have significantly lower growth rates. Despite senescence, b-FGF restored the distal-fibroblasts growth rate to that of the stimulated proximal fibroblasts, which proposes a therapeutic role for b-FGF. These changes precede ulcer formation and suggest a mechanism that is focal and intrinsically related to venous reflux.

A reassessment of the telomere hypothesis of senescence

According to the telomere hypothesis of senescence, the telomeric shortening that accompanies the replication of normal somatic cells acts as the mitotic clock that eventually results in their permanent exit from the cell cycle. Although evidence consistent with the telomere hypothesis continues to accumulate, on the basis of recent findings it is suggested that instead of a single clock mechanism there are multiple inducers of senescence.

SV40-Mediated immortalization

Human diploid cells have a limited life span, ending in replicative senescence, in contrast to cell lines derived from tumors, which show an indefinite life span and are immortal, suggesting that replicative senescence is a tumor suppression mechanism. We have utilized introduction of SV40 sequences to develop matched sets of nonimmortal and immortal cell lines to help dissect the mechanism of immortalization and have found that it has multiple facets, involving both SV40-dependent and -independent aspects. These studies have led to the identification of a novel growth suppressor gene (SEN6) as well as providing a model system for the study of cellular aging, apoptosis, and telomere stabilization among other things. It is anticipated that SV40-transformed cells will continue to provide a very useful experimental system leading to insights into the behavior of cells with altered expression of oncogenes and growth suppressor gene products.

Stage-specific apoptosis, developmental delay, and embryonic lethality in mice homozygous for a targeted disruption in the murine Bloom's syndrome gene

Bloom's syndrome is a human autosomal genetic disorder characterized at the cellular level by genome instability and increased sister chomatid exchanges (SCEs). Clinical features of the disease include proportional dwarfism and a predisposition to develop a wide variety of malignancies. The human BLM gene has been cloned recently and encodes a DNA helicase. Mouse embryos homozygous for a targeted mutation in the murine Bloom's syndrome gene (Blm) are developmentally delayed and die by embryonic day 13.5. The fact that the interrupted gene is the homolog of the human BLM gene was confirmed by its homologous sequence, its chromosomal location, and by demonstrating high numbers of SCEs in cultured murine Blm-/- fibroblasts. The proportional dwarfism seen in the human is consistent with the small size and developmental delay (12-24 hr) seen during mid-gestation in murine Blm-/- embryos. Interestingly, the growth retardation in mutant embryos can be accounted for by a wave of increased apoptosis in the epiblast restricted to early post-implantation embryogenesis. Mutant embryos do not survive past day 13.5, and at this time exhibit severe anemia. Red blood cells and their precursors from Blm-/- embryos are heterogeneous in appearance and have increased numbers of macrocytes and micronuclei. Both the apoptotic wave and the appearance of micronuclei in red blood cells are likely cellular consequences of damaged DNA caused by effects on replicating or segregating chromosomes.

Fibroblasts cultured from venous ulcers display cellular characteristics of senescence

PURPOSE

A well-recognized characteristic of venous ulcers is impaired healing. Fibroblasts cultured from venous ulcers (wound-fb) have been shown to have reduced growth rates and are larger than normal fibroblasts (normal-fb) from the ipsilateral limb. Reduced growth capacity and morphologic changes are 2 well-known traits of cellular senescence. Other molecular changes are overexpression of matrix proteins, such as cellular fibronectin (cFN), and enhanced activity of beta-galactosidase at pH of 6.0 (senescence associated beta-Gal, or SA-beta-Gal). Senescence, an irreversible arrest of cell proliferation with maintenance of metabolic functions, may represent in vivo aging and thus may be related to impaired healing.

METHODS

Cultured normal-fb and wound-fb from 7 venous ulcer patients (average age, 51 years) were obtained by taking punch biopsies of the perimeter of the ulcer and from the ipsilateral thigh of the same patient. Growth rates, SA-beta-Gal activity, and level of cFN protein (immunoblot) and message (Northern blot) were measured.

RESULTS

In all patients, wound-fb growth rates were significantly lower than those of normal-fb (P =.006). A higher percentage of SA-beta-Gal positive cells were found in all wound-fb (average, 6.3% vs. 0.21%; P =.016). The level of cFN, was consistently higher in all wound-fb tested. Also, in 4 patients, the level of cFN messenger RNA (mRNA) was increased.

CONCLUSION

Fibroblasts cultured from venous ulcers exhibited characteristics associated with senescent cells. Accumulation of senescent cell in ulcer environment may be associated with impaired healing.

Effect of chronic wound fluid on fibroblasts

This study examines how the microenvironment created by fluid in chronic wounds influences the growth of dermal fibroblasts. Newborn fibroblasts, which are known to grow rapidly, were used as a model system to explore how chronic wound fluid affects the growth of regenerative fibroblasts. Wound fluid was collected from patients with chronic venous leg ulcers (duration longer than two months). The biological properties of this fluid were then further characterised to elucidate its molecular effects on cell growth. Results indicate that chronic wound fluid dramatically inhibited the growth of newborn dermal fibroblasts. This growth inhibitory effect was variable among donors, reversible and heat-sensitive. The inhibitory effect was due not to cytotoxicity or impaired plating efficiency of these cells, but to specific interference with the cell cycle. Chronic wound fluid arrested newborn fibroblast growth by preventing entry into the S-phase, or DNA synthesis-phase, of the cell cycle. In contrast to its effects on newborn fibroblasts, chronic wound fluid either stimulated or had a minimal effect on fibroblasts which had been cultured from the edge of chronic venous leg ulcers and healthy tissue on the upper thigh in the same patient. This may partially account for the impaired healing seen in chronic venous leg ulcers.

Senescence of human fibroblasts induced by oncogenic Raf

The oncogenes RAS and RAF came to view as agents of neoplastic transformation. However, in normal cells, these genes can have effects that run counter to oncogenic transformation, such as arrest of the cell division cycle, induction of cell differentiation, and apoptosis. Recent work has demonstrated that RAS elicits proliferative arrest and senescence in normal mouse and human fibroblasts. Because the Raf/MEK/MAP kinase signaling cascade is a key effector of signaling from Ras proteins, we examined the ability of conditionally active forms of Raf-1 to elicit cell cycle arrest and senescence in human cells. Activation of Raf-1 in nonimmortalized human lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) led to the prompt and irreversible arrest of cellular proliferation and the premature onset of senescence. Concomitant with the onset of cell cycle arrest, we observed the induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p21(Cip1) and p16(Ink4a). Ablation of p53 and p21(Cip1) expression by use of the E6 oncoprotein of HPV16 demonstrated that expression of these proteins was not required for Raf-induced cell cycle arrest or senescence. Furthermore, cell cycle arrest and senescence were elicited in IMR-90 cells by the ectopic expression of p16(Ink4a) alone. Pharmacological inhibition of the Raf/MEK/MAP kinase cascade prevented Raf from inducing p16(Ink4a) and also prevented Raf-induced senescence. We conclude that the kinase cascade initiated by Raf can regulate the expression of p16(Ink4a) and the proliferative arrest and senescence that follows. Induction of senescence may provide a defense against neoplastic transformation when the MAP kinase signaling cascade is inappropriately active.

Cytochemical detection of a senescence-associated beta-galactosidase in endothelial and smooth muscle cells from human and rabbit blood vessels

A beta-galactosidase activity has recently been used as a histochemical marker of replicative senescence in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. To establish whether this marker could be used to detect senescence of vascular cells, we have investigated its presence in cultures of serially passaged human umbilical vein endothelial cells and rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells. beta-Galactosidase activity was detected by light microscopy using the chromogenic substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-d-galactopyranoside. In endothelial cell cultures, lysosomal beta-galactosidase activity, which is detected at pH 4.0, was present in all cells regardless of their replicative age. In contrast, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, which is detected at pH 6.0, was absent in the majority of cells in early passage cultures (<15 cumulative population doublings), but was present in a large proportion of cells (up to 62%) in late passage cultures (>30 cumulative population doublings); in intermediate passage cultures (15-30 cumulative population doublings) it was found in fewer than 15% of the cells. The increase in the percentage of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase-positive cells correlated with a decrease in the cell density at confluence and with a marked increase in cell size. Counterstaining with an antibody directed against the endothelial cell marker CD31 showed that senescent cells retained the expression of this antigen. Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase was also detected in serially passaged, but not in primary explant cultures of rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. The presence of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells suggests that this marker could be used to study the role of cellular senescence in vascular disease.

Markers of 'cell senescence'

In the current literature cells that have finished their proliferative life span in vitro and have reached a terminal post-mitotic state are called senescent cells. This definition originated from the belief that the irreversible non-dividing state has a relationship with aging of the organism. Attempts have been made to find markers of the so-called senescent cell in order to detect their presence in vivo in donors of different ages. One marker which was supposed to demonstrate an increase of post-mitotic cells with aging is a marker of a long resting phase whether reversible or irreversible. Other markers suggest that the postmitotic cell does not increase with aging of the organism, that it is irrelevant for aging, that it is found in an increased number in pathology, and that the term senescent cell is a misnomer that should be used only in an operational manner.

Molecular analysis of H2O2-induced senescent-like growth arrest in normal human fibroblasts: p53 and Rb control G1 arrest but not cell replication

Human diploid fibroblasts lose the capacity to proliferate and enter a state termed replicative senescence after a finite number of cell divisions in culture. When treated with sub-lethal concentrations of H2O2, pre-senescent human fibroblasts enter long-term growth arrest resembling replicative senescence. To understand the molecular basis for the H2O2-induced growth arrest, we determined the cell cycle distribution, levels of p53 tumour suppressor and p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor proteins, and the status of Rb phosphorylation in H2O2-treated cells. A 2-h pulse of H2O2 arrested the growth of IMR-90 fetal lung fibroblasts for at least 15 days. The arrested cells showed a G1 DNA content. The level of p53 protein increased 2- to 3-fold within 1.5 h after H2O2 exposure but returned to the control level by 48 h. The induction of p53 protein was dose dependent, beginning at 50-75 microM and reaching a maximum at 100-250 microM. The induction of p53 did not appear to correlate with the level of DNA damage as measured by the formation of 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine in DNA. The level of p21 protein increased about 18 h after H2O2 exposure and remained elevated for at least 21 days. During this period, Rb remained underphosphorylated. The induction of p53 by H2O2 was abolished by the iron chelator deferoxamine and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. The human papillomavirus protein E6, when introduced into the cells, abolished the induction of p53, reduced the induction of p21 to a minimal level and allowed Rb phosphorylation and entry of the cells into S-phase. The human papillomavirus protein E7 reduced the overall level of Rb and also abolished H2O2-induced G1 arrest. Inactivating G1 arrest by E6, E7 or both did not restore the replicative ability of H2O2-treated cells. Thus H2O2-treated cells show a transient elevation of p53, high level of p21, lack of Rb phosphorylation, G1 arrest and inability to replicate when G1 arrest is inactivated.

Immortalization of rat embryo fibroblasts by a 3'-untranslated region

We have exploited a cross-species expression screen to search for cellular immortalizing activities. A newt blastemal cDNA expression library was transfected into rat embryo fibroblasts and immortal cell lines were selected. This identified a 1-kb cDNA fragment which has a low representation in the cDNA library and is derived from the 3'-UTR of an alpha-glucosidase-related mRNA. Expression of this sequence in rat embryo fibroblasts has shown that it is active in promoting colony formation and immortalization. It is also able to cooperate with an immortalization-defective deletion mutant of SV40 T antigen, indicating that it can exert its growth-stimulatory activity in the pathway activated by a viral immortalizing oncogene. This is the first example of an immortalizing activity mediated by an RNA sequence, and further analysis of its mechanism should provide new insights into senescence and immortalization.

Cloning and identification of genes that associate with mammalian replicative senescence

Cellular senescence and limited proliferative capacity of normal diploid cells has a dominant phenotype over immortality of cancerous cells, suggesting its regulation by the expression of a set of genes. In order to isolate the genes that associate with senescence, we have employed a clonal system of conditional SV40 T antigen rat embryo fibroblast cell lines which undergo senescence upon T antigen inactivation. Construction of cDNA libraries from two conditional cell lines and application of differential screening and subtractive hybridization techniques have resulted in the cloning of eight senescence-induced genes (SGP-2/Apo J, alpha 1-procollagen, osteonectin, fibronectin, SM22, cytochrome C oxidase, GTP-alpha, and a novel gene) and a senescence-repressed gene (FRS-2). Three of these genes encode for extracellular matrix proteins, others are involved in the calcium-dependent signal transduction pathways, while the SGP-2/Apo J gene may have a cellular protective function. RNA analysis has shown that the senescence-associated genes are overexpressed in both normal rat embryonic fibroblasts and human osteoblasts cell cultures undergoing aging in vitro. In comparison, the expression of these genes in a rat fibroblast immortalized cell line (208F cells) was down-regulated after both its partial and its full transformation by ras oncogenes. Thus, cloning of senescence-associated genes opens up new ways to elucidate and/or to modulate aging and cancer.

Human ageing and telomeres

Telomerase expression is repressed early in development in all normal somatic human tissues investigated to date, whereas activity and the expression of the RNA component for this enzyme are upregulated in almost all cases of malignant transformation and late-stage cancer. The telomere hypothesis of ageing and immortalization postulates that sufficient telomere loss on one or more chromosomes in normal somatic cells triggers cell senescence, whereas reactivation of the enzyme is necessary for cell immortalization. Measurements of telomere length and telomerase activity in cancer and during normal and accelerated human ageing in skin, blood, haemopoietic, skeletal muscle, vascular and CNS tissues support this model. Tissue culture studies of cell ageing and transformation have added to our understanding of telomere dynamics in these processes. Evolution of telomerase repression and mortality in somatic cells of long-lived organisms is consistent with antagonistic pleiotropy models in which cell senescence is a tumour suppressor mechanism: stringent repression of telomerase has a beneficial early effect in reducing the probability of cancer, but a deleterious, unselected late effect in its contributions to age-related disease.

How do mutated oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes cause cancer?

In recent decades we have been given insight into the process that transforms a normal cell into a malignant cancer cell. It has been recognised that malignant transformation occurs through successive mutations in specific cellular genes, leading to the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. The further study of these genes has generated much of its excitement from the convergence of experiments addressing the genetic basis of cancer, together with cellular pathways that normally control important cellular regulatory programmes. In the present review the context in which oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes normally function as key regulators of physiological processes such as proliferation, cell death/apoptosis, differentiation and senescence will be described, as well as how these cellular programmes become deregulated in cancer due to mutations.

Psoralen photoactivation promotes morphological and functional changes in fibroblasts in vitro reminiscent of cellular senescence

Premature aging of the skin is a prominent side effect of psoralen photoactivation, a treatment used widely for various skin disorders. The molecular mechanisms underlying premature aging upon psoralen photoactivation are as yet unknown. Here we show that treatment of fibroblasts with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and subsequent ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation resulted in a permanent switch of mitotic to stably postmitotic fibroblasts which acquired a high level of de novo expression of SA-beta-galactosidase, a marker for fibroblast senescence in vitro and in vivo. A single exposure of fibroblasts to 8-MOP/UVA resulted in a 5.8-fold up-regulation of two matrix-degrading enzymes, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), over a period of &gt;120 days, while TIMP-1, the major inhibitor of MMP-1 and MMP-3, was only slightly induced. This imbalance between matrix-degrading metalloproteases and their inhibitor may lead to connective tissue damage, a hallmark of premature aging. Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, but not singlet oxygen, were identified as important intermediates in the downstream signaling pathway leading to these complex fibroblast responses upon psoralen photoactivation. Collectively, the end phenotype induced upon psoralen photoactivation shares several criteria of senescent cells. In the absence of detailed molecular data on what constitutes normal aging, it is difficult to decide whether the changes reported here reflect mechanisms underlying normal cellular aging/senescence or rather produce a mimic of cellular aging/senescence by quite different pathways.

Accelerated proliferative senescence of rat embryo fibroblasts after stable transfection of multiple copies of the c-Myc DNA-binding sequence

The protooncogene c-myc positively regulates cellular proliferation whereas it exhibits negative effects on both cellular senescence and differentiation. Ectopic overexpression of c-myc in transfection experiments or titration of the c-myc mRNA by antisense oligonucleotides has demonstrated that small changes of the concentration of cellular c-myc mRNA or protein levels can be crucial for these processes. In view of the role of c-Myc as a transcription factor, most of these effects may be mediated via its binding to specific DNA sequences. Here we studied the cellular reactions after manipulating the cellular concentration of c-Myc DNA-binding sites. Multiple copies of the c-Myc-binding sequence GACCACGTGGTC or, alternatively, the control sequence GACCAGCTGGTC that displays only a poor affinity for c-Myc were stably introduced into the genome of rat embryo fibroblasts. Transfection with the c-Myc-binding sequence yielded much lower clone numbers and sizes than transfection with the control sequence. After polyclonal selection and further subcultivation cells transfected with c-Myc-binding sequence exhibited a reduced growth rate and achieved less than two-thirds of the cumulative population doublings before becoming senescent and irreversibly growth arrested compared to the controls. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that 30 binding sequences on average were integrated into the cellular genome. Our results can be interpreted as competition of the ectopically introduced c-Myc-binding sequences with the functional genomic ones and assume that a fairly low number of the latter exist in the normal cellular genome. Hence, only a low copy number of introduced c-Myc-binding sequences is sufficient to cause signs of accelerated proliferative senescence.

Reinitiation of DNA synthesis and cell division in senescent human fibroblasts by microinjection of anti-p53 antibodies

In human fibroblasts, growth arrest at the end of the normal proliferative life span (induction of senescence) is dependent on the activity of the tumor suppressor protein p53. In contrast, once senescence has been established, it is generally accepted that reinitiation of DNA synthesis requires loss of multiple suppressor pathways, for example, by expression of Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen, and that even this will not induce complete cell cycle traverse. Here we have used microinjection of monoclonal antibodies to the N terminus of p53, PAb1801 and DO-1, to reinvestigate the effect of blocking p53 function in senescent human fibroblasts. Unexpectedly, we found that both antibodies induce senescent cells to reenter S phase almost as efficiently as SV40, accompanied by a reversion to the "young" morphology. Furthermore, this is followed by completion of the cell division cycle, as shown by the appearance of mitoses, and by a four- to fivefold increase in cell number 9 days after injection. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that expression of the p53-inducible cyclin/kinase inhibitor p21sdi1/WAF1 was greatly diminished by targeting p53 with either PAb1801 or DO-1 but remained high and, moreover, still p53 dependent in cells expressing SV40 T antigen. As previously observed for induction, the maintenance of fibroblast senescence therefore appears to be critically dependent on functional p53. We suggest that the previous failure to observe this by using SV40 T-antigen mutants to target p53 was most probably due to incomplete abrogation of p53 function.

Telomeres and senescence: the history, the experiment, the future

Telomere length has been proposed to signal entry into cellular senescence. Expression of the human telomerase subunit, hTERT, in primary cells now shows that these cells bypass senescence.

Extension of life-span by introduction of telomerase into normal human cells

Normal human cells undergo a finite number of cell divisions and ultimately enter a nondividing state called replicative senescence. It has been proposed that telomere shortening is the molecular clock that triggers senescence. To test this hypothesis, two telomerase-negative normal human cell types, retinal pigment epithelial cells and foreskin fibroblasts, were transfected with vectors encoding the human telomerase catalytic subunit. In contrast to telomerase-negative control clones, which exhibited telomere shortening and senescence, telomerase-expressing clones had elongated telomeres, divided vigorously, and showed reduced straining for beta-galactosidase, a biomarker for senescence. Notably, the telomerase-expressing clones have a normal karyotype and have already exceeded their normal life-span by at least 20 doublings, thus establishing a causal relationship between telomere shortening and in vitro cellular senescence. The ability to maintain normal human cells in a phenotypically youthful state could have important applications in research and medicine.

Differentiation and cancer in the mammary gland: shedding light on an old dichotomy

In this brief review, the development of breast cancer is discussed from the vantage of phenotypic differentiation, similar to what has been considered over the years for leukemias and melanomas, both of which express easily visible differentiation markers (Hart and Easty, 1991; Clarke et al., 1995; Lynch, 1995; Sachs, 1996; Sledge, 1996). The review is divided into a theoretical background for human breast differentiation and a discussion of recent experimental results in our laboratories with differentiation of breast epithelial cells. In the theoretical background, in situ markers of differentiation of normal breast and carcinomas are discussed with emphasis on their possible implications for tumor therapy. So far, most of the emphasis regarding differentiation therapy of tumors has been focused on the possible action of soluble factors, such as colony-stimulating factors in leukemias and retinoic acids in solid tumors (Lotan, 1996; Sachs, 1996). However, an emerging and promising new avenue in this area appears to point to additional factors, such as the cellular form and extracellular matrix (ECM) (Bissel et al., 1982; Bissel and Barcellos-Hoff, 1987; Ingber, 1992). The recent interest in these parameters has evolved along with an increasing understanding of the molecular composition of the ECM, and of the molecular basis of the classical findings that normal cell--in contrast to tumor cells--are anchorage dependent for survival and growth (Folkman and Moscona, 1978; Hannigan et al., 1996). We now know that this is the case for epithelial as well as fibroblastic cells, and that interaction with ECM is crucial for such regulation. Indeed, ECM and integrins are emerging as the central regulators of differentiation, apoptosis, and cancer (Boudreau et al., 1995; Boudreau and Bissel, 1996; Werb et al., 1996; Bissell, 1997; Weaver, et al., 1997). In the experimental part, we elaborate on our own recent experiments with functional culture models of the human breast, with particular emphasis on how "normal" and cancer cells could be defined within a reconstituted ECM. Special attention is given to integrins, the prominent ECM receptors. We further discuss a number of recent experimental results, all of which point to the same conclusion: namely that phenotypic reversion toward a more normal state for epithelial tumors is no longer an elusive goal. Thus "therapy by differentiation" could be broadened to include not only blood-borne tumors, but also solid tumors of epithelial origin.

Molecular aspects of the relationship between cancer and aging: tumor suppressor activity during cellular senescence

Normal cells cultured in vitro lose their proliferative potential after a finite number of doublings in a process termed replicative cellular senescence (Hayflick, 1965). The roles that growth inhibitory tumor suppressors play in the establishment and maintainence of cellular senescence have been reported in many different systems. The Rb and p53 tumor suppressors are examples of growth inhibitors that lose the ability to be regulated and are constantly activated during senescence. Other proteins that inhibit the initiation of DNA synthesis in early passage fibroblasts and that link the action of tumor suppressors with the cell cycle machinery, are also expressed at higher levels in senescent cells. For example, the increased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16 may contribute to arresting the growth of senescent cells. Identification and characterization of additional genes encoding growth inhibitors that are upregulated in senescent cells, such as the recently isolated p33ING1 protein, should provide a better understanding of the "aging program" that ceases to operate in the generation of immortal cancer cells.