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Singh M, Ali H, Renuka Jyothi S, Kaur I, Kumar S, Sharma N, Siva Prasad GV, Pramanik A, Hassan Almalki W, Imran M. Tau proteins and senescent Cells: Targeting aging pathways in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res 2024; 1844:149165. [PMID: 39155034 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of tau proteins and amyloid-β, leading to neuronal death and cognitive impairment. Recent studies have implicated aging pathways, including dysregulation of tau and cellular senescence in AD pathogenesis. In AD brains, tau protein, which normally stabilizes microtubules, becomes hyperphosphorylated and forms insoluble neurofibrillary tangles. These tau aggregates impair neuronal function and are propagated across the brain's neurocircuitry. Meanwhile, the number of senescent cells accumulating in the aging brain is rising, releasing a pro-inflammatory SASP responsible for neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This review explores potential therapeutic interventions for AD targeting tau protein and senescent cells, and tau -directed compounds, senolytics, eliminating senescent cells, and agents that modulate the SASP-senomodulators. Ultimately, a combined approach that incorporates tau-directed medications and targeted senescent cell-based therapies holds promise for reducing the harmful impact of AD's shared aging pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahaveer Singh
- School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKMs NMIMS University, Shirpur campus, Maharastra India
| | - Haider Ali
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India; Department of Pharmacology, Kyrgyz State Medical College, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - S Renuka Jyothi
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Irwanjot Kaur
- Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan-303012, India
| | - Sachin Kumar
- NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | - Naveen Sharma
- Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of College, Jhanjeri, Mohali 140307, Punjab, India
| | - G V Siva Prasad
- Department of Chemistry, Raghu Engineering College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531162, India
| | - Atreyi Pramanik
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohd Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia; Center for Health Research, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
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Wang Y, Kuca K, You L, Nepovimova E, Heger Z, Valko M, Adam V, Wu Q, Jomova K. The role of cellular senescence in neurodegenerative diseases. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:2393-2408. [PMID: 38744709 PMCID: PMC11272704 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03768-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has revealed that cellular senescence drives NDs, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease. Different senescent cell populations secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASP), including matrix metalloproteinase-3, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, and IL-8, which can harm adjacent microglia. Moreover, these cells possess high expression levels of senescence hallmarks (p16 and p21) and elevated senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in in vitro and in vivo ND models. These senescence phenotypes contribute to the deposition of β-amyloid and tau-protein tangles. Selective clearance of senescent cells and SASP regulation by inhibiting p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling attenuate β-amyloid load and prevent tau-protein tangle deposition, thereby improving cognitive performance in AD mouse models. In addition, telomere shortening, a cellular senescence biomarker, is associated with increased ND risks. Telomere dysfunction causes cellular senescence, stimulating IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1β secretions. The forced expression of telomerase activators prevents cellular senescence, yielding considerable neuroprotective effects. This review elucidates the mechanism of cellular senescence in ND pathogenesis, suggesting strategies to eliminate or restore senescent cells to a normal phenotype for treating such diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Wang
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, China
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, 500 03, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Andalusian Research Institute in Data Science and Computational Intelligence (DaSCI), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Li You
- College of Physical Education and Health, Chongqing College of International Business and Economics, Chongqing, 401520, China
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, 500 03, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Heger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Valko
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, 812 37, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, China.
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, 500 03, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Klaudia Jomova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74, Nitra, Slovakia.
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Wang C, Wang X, Sun S, Chang Y, Lian P, Guo H, Zheng S, Ma R, Li G. Irisin inhibits microglial senescence via TFAM-mediated mitochondrial metabolism in a mouse model of tauopathy. Immun Ageing 2024; 21:30. [PMID: 38745313 PMCID: PMC11092051 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-024-00437-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The accumulation of senescent microglia has been highlighted as a critical contributor to the progression of tauopathies. Irisin, a muscle-derived hormone produced by the proteolytic cleavage of Fibronectin-domain III containing 5 (FNDC5), mediates the pleiotropic effects of exercise on the physical body. Herein, we investigate the potential role of irisin in microglial senescence in tauopathies. METHODS To model tauopathies both in vivo and in vitro, we utilized P301S tau transgenic mice and tau K18 fibril-treated microglia BV2 cells, respectively. We first examined the expression of the irisin expression and senescence phenotypes of microglia in tauopathies. Subsequently, we investigated the impact of irisin on microglial senescence and its underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULT We observed a reduction in irisin levels and an onset of premature microglial senescence both in vivo and in vitro. Irisin administration was found to counteract microglial senescence and ameliorate cognitive decline in P301S mice. Mechanistically, irisin effectively inhibited microglial senescence by stimulating the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), a master regulator of mitochondrial respiratory chain biogenesis, thereby enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Silencing TFAM eliminated the inhibitory effect of irisin on microglial senescence as well as the restorative effect of irisin on mitochondrial OXPHOS. Furthermore, the SIRT1/PGC1α signaling pathway appeared to be implicated in irisin-mediated upregulation of TFAM. CONCLUSION Taken together, our study revealed that irisin mitigated microglial senescence via TFAM-driven mitochondrial biogenesis, suggesting a promising new avenue for therapeutic strategies targeting tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiufeng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shangqi Sun
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yanmin Chang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Piaopiao Lian
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hongxiu Guo
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Siyi Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Rong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Balasubramanian P, Kiss T, Gulej R, Nyul Toth A, Tarantini S, Yabluchanskiy A, Ungvari Z, Csiszar A. Accelerated Aging Induced by an Unhealthy High-Fat Diet: Initial Evidence for the Role of Nrf2 Deficiency and Impaired Stress Resilience in Cellular Senescence. Nutrients 2024; 16:952. [PMID: 38612986 PMCID: PMC11013792 DOI: 10.3390/nu16070952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
High-fat diets (HFDs) have pervaded modern dietary habits, characterized by their excessive saturated fat content and low nutritional value. Epidemiological studies have compellingly linked HFD consumption to obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, the synergistic interplay of HFD, obesity, and diabetes expedites the aging process and prematurely fosters age-related diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms driving these associations remain enigmatic. One of the most conspicuous hallmarks of aging is the accumulation of highly inflammatory senescent cells, with mounting evidence implicating increased cellular senescence in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. Our hypothesis posits that HFD consumption amplifies senescence burden across multiple organs. To scrutinize this hypothesis, we subjected mice to a 6-month HFD regimen, assessing senescence biomarker expression in the liver, white adipose tissue, and the brain. Aging is intrinsically linked to impaired cellular stress resilience, driven by dysfunction in Nrf2-mediated cytoprotective pathways that safeguard cells against oxidative stress-induced senescence. To ascertain whether Nrf2-mediated pathways shield against senescence induction in response to HFD consumption, we explored senescence burden in a novel model of aging: Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2+/-) mice, emulating the aging phenotype. Our initial findings unveiled significant Nrf2 dysfunction in Nrf2+/- mice, mirroring aging-related alterations. HFD led to substantial obesity, hyperglycemia, and impaired insulin sensitivity in both Nrf2+/- and Nrf2+/+ mice. In control mice, HFD primarily heightened senescence burden in white adipose tissue, evidenced by increased Cdkn2a senescence biomarker expression. In Nrf2+/- mice, HFD elicited a significant surge in senescence burden across the liver, white adipose tissue, and the brain. We postulate that HFD-induced augmentation of senescence burden may be a pivotal contributor to accelerated organismal aging and the premature onset of age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Balasubramanian
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Tamas Kiss
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- International Training Program in Geroscience, First Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rafal Gulej
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Adam Nyul Toth
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Andriy Yabluchanskiy
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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Fekete M, Lehoczki A, Major D, Fazekas-Pongor V, Csípő T, Tarantini S, Csizmadia Z, Varga JT. Exploring the Influence of Gut-Brain Axis Modulation on Cognitive Health: A Comprehensive Review of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Symbiotics. Nutrients 2024; 16:789. [PMID: 38542700 PMCID: PMC10975805 DOI: 10.3390/nu16060789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent research exploring the relationship between the gut and the brain suggests that the condition of the gut microbiota can influence cognitive health. A well-balanced gut microbiota may help reduce inflammation, which is linked to neurodegenerative conditions. Prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics are nutritional supplements and functional food components associated with gastrointestinal well-being. The bidirectional communication of the gut-brain axis is essential for maintaining homeostasis, with pre-, pro-, and symbiotics potentially affecting various cognitive functions such as attention, perception, and memory. Numerous studies have consistently shown that incorporating pre-, pro-, and symbiotics into a healthy diet can lead to improvements in cognitive functions and mood. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiota can support optimal cognitive function, which is crucial for disease prevention in our fast-paced, Westernized society. Our results indicate cognitive benefits in healthy older individuals with probiotic supplementation but not in healthy older individuals who have good and adequate levels of physical activity. Additionally, it appears that there are cognitive benefits in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, while mixed results seem to arise in younger and healthier individuals. However, it is important to acknowledge that individual responses may vary, and the use of these dietary supplements should be tailored to each individual's unique health circumstances and needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Fekete
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Andrea Lehoczki
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
- National Institute for Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, South Pest Central Hospital, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Major
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Vince Fazekas-Pongor
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Tamás Csípő
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (M.F.); (A.L.); (D.M.); (V.F.-P.); (T.C.); (S.T.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zoltán Csizmadia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - János Tamás Varga
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
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Fekete M, Major D, Feher A, Fazekas-Pongor V, Lehoczki A. Geroscience and pathology: a new frontier in understanding age-related diseases. Pathol Oncol Res 2024; 30:1611623. [PMID: 38463143 PMCID: PMC10922957 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2024.1611623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Geroscience, a burgeoning discipline at the intersection of aging and disease, aims to unravel the intricate relationship between the aging process and pathogenesis of age-related diseases. This paper explores the pivotal role played by geroscience in reshaping our understanding of pathology, with a particular focus on age-related diseases. These diseases, spanning cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, malignancies, and neurodegenerative conditions, significantly contribute to the morbidity and mortality of older individuals. We delve into the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence, and elucidate their profound implications for the pathogenesis of various age-related diseases. Emphasis is placed on the importance of assessing key biomarkers of aging and biological age within the realm of pathology. We also scrutinize the interplay between cellular senescence and cancer biology as a central area of focus, underscoring its paramount significance in contemporary pathological research. Moreover, we shed light on the integration of anti-aging interventions that target fundamental aging processes, such as senolytics, mitochondria-targeted treatments, and interventions that influence epigenetic regulation within the domain of pathology research. In conclusion, the integration of geroscience concepts into pathological research heralds a transformative paradigm shift in our understanding of disease pathogenesis and promises breakthroughs in disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fekete
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - David Major
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Agnes Feher
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Andrea Lehoczki
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Departments of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, South Pest Central Hospital, National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, Saint Ladislaus Campus, Budapest, Hungary
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Gulej R, Csik B, Faakye J, Tarantini S, Shanmugarama S, Chandragiri SS, Mukli P, Conley S, Csiszar A, Ungvari Z, Yabluchanskiy A, Nyúl-Tóth Á. Endothelial deficiency of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor leads to blood-brain barrier disruption and accelerated endothelial senescence in mice, mimicking aspects of the brain aging phenotype. Microcirculation 2024; 31:e12840. [PMID: 38082450 PMCID: PMC10922445 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Age-related blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, cerebromicrovascular senescence, and microvascular rarefaction substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies established a causal link between age-related decline in circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cerebromicrovascular dysfunction, and cognitive decline. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of IGF-1 signaling on senescence, BBB permeability, and vascular density in middle-age and old brains. METHODS Accelerated endothelial senescence was assessed in senescence reporter mice (VE-Cadherin-CreERT2 /Igf1rfl/fl × p16-3MR) using flow cytometry. To determine the functional consequences of impaired IGF-1 input to cerebromicrovascular endothelial cells, BBB integrity and capillary density were studied in mice with endothelium-specific knockout of IGF1R (VE-Cadherin-CreERT2 /Igf1rfl/fl ) using intravital two-photon microscopy. RESULTS In VE-Cadherin-CreERT2 /Igf1rfl/fl mice: (1) there was an increased presence of senescent endothelial cells; (2) cumulative permeability of the microvessels to fluorescent tracers of different molecular weights (0.3-40 kDa) is significantly increased, as compared to that of control mice, whereas decline in cortical capillary density does not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the notion that IGF-1 signaling plays a crucial role in preserving a youthful cerebromicrovascular endothelial phenotype and maintaining the integrity of the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Gulej
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Boglarka Csik
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Janet Faakye
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Santny Shanmugarama
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Siva Sai Chandragiri
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Peter Mukli
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Shannon Conley
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Andriy Yabluchanskiy
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Ádám Nyúl-Tóth
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration, and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Orr ME. A Need for Refined Senescence Biomarkers and Measures of Senolytics in the Brain. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 98:411-415. [PMID: 38461508 PMCID: PMC11063734 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Cellular senescence contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Treatments that remove senescent cells, senolytics, improve brain outcomes in AD mice with amyloid-β or tau deposition. 3xTgAD mice develop both AD neuropathologies; however, Ng et al. report low p16INK4a-associated senescence in the brain. Senolytic treatment by genetic removal; dasatinib with quercetin (D+Q), which enter the brain; and ABT-263 with limited brain penetrance all reduced AD neuropathology. Refined measures of senescence and brain exposure would help clarify the benefits of senolytics despite low p16INK4a-associated senescence and potential limited brain penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda E. Orr
- Department of Internal Medicine Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Salisbury VA Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA
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9
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Ng PY, Zhang C, Li H, Baker DJ. Senescence Targeting Methods Impact Alzheimer's Disease Features in 3xTg Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1751-1763. [PMID: 38306030 PMCID: PMC10939718 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Cellular senescence has been associated with neurodegenerative disease and clearance of senescent cells using genetic or pharmaceutical strategies (senolytics) has demonstrated beneficial effects in mouse models investigating individual disease etiologies of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it has remained unclear if senescent cell clearance in a mouse model exhibiting both plaque and tau pathologies modifies the disease state (3xTg). Objective To investigate the effects of senescent cell clearance in the 3xTg mouse model. Methods 3xTg mice were treated with senolytics (ABT263 (navitoclax; NAVI), a combination of dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q)), or subjected to transgene-mediated removal of p16-expressing cells (via INK-ATTAC). Results Senolytic treatments consistently reduced microgliosis and ameliorated both amyloid and tau pathology in 3xTg mice. Using RNA sequencing, we found evidence that synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation were attenuated with treatment. These beneficial effects were not observed with short-term senolytic treatment in mice with more advanced disease. Conclusions Overall, our results further corroborate the beneficial effects senescent cell clearance could have on AD and highlight the importance of early intervention for the treatment of this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Y. Ng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Darren J. Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- The Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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10
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Ungvari A, Gulej R, Csik B, Mukli P, Negri S, Tarantini S, Yabluchanskiy A, Benyo Z, Csiszar A, Ungvari Z. The Role of Methionine-Rich Diet in Unhealthy Cerebrovascular and Brain Aging: Mechanisms and Implications for Cognitive Impairment. Nutrients 2023; 15:4662. [PMID: 37960316 PMCID: PMC10650229 DOI: 10.3390/nu15214662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As aging societies in the western world face a growing prevalence of vascular cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD), understanding their underlying causes and associated risk factors becomes increasingly critical. A salient concern in the western dietary context is the high consumption of methionine-rich foods such as red meat. The present review delves into the impact of this methionine-heavy diet and the resultant hyperhomocysteinemia on accelerated cerebrovascular and brain aging, emphasizing their potential roles in cognitive impairment. Through a comprehensive exploration of existing evidence, a link between high methionine intake and hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and accelerated epigenetic aging is drawn. Moreover, the microvascular determinants of cognitive deterioration, including endothelial dysfunction, reduced cerebral blood flow, microvascular rarefaction, impaired neurovascular coupling, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, are explored. The mechanisms by which excessive methionine consumption and hyperhomocysteinemia might drive cerebromicrovascular and brain aging processes are elucidated. By presenting an intricate understanding of the relationships among methionine-rich diets, hyperhomocysteinemia, cerebrovascular and brain aging, and cognitive impairment, avenues for future research and potential therapeutic interventions are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ungvari
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rafal Gulej
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Boglarka Csik
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Public Health, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Peter Mukli
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Public Health, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sharon Negri
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Public Health, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Andriy Yabluchanskiy
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Public Health, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zoltan Benyo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary;
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Translational Medicine, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.G.); (B.C.); (P.M.); (S.N.); (S.T.); (A.Y.); (A.C.); (Z.U.)
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Public Health, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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11
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Vujovic F, Shepherd CE, Witting PK, Hunter N, Farahani RM. Redox-Mediated Rewiring of Signalling Pathways: The Role of a Cellular Clock in Brain Health and Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1873. [PMID: 37891951 PMCID: PMC10604469 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metazoan signalling pathways can be rewired to dampen or amplify the rate of events, such as those that occur in development and aging. Given that a linear network topology restricts the capacity to rewire signalling pathways, such scalability of the pace of biological events suggests the existence of programmable non-linear elements in the underlying signalling pathways. Here, we review the network topology of key signalling pathways with a focus on redox-sensitive proteins, including PTEN and Ras GTPase, that reshape the connectivity profile of signalling pathways in response to an altered redox state. While this network-level impact of redox is achieved by the modulation of individual redox-sensitive proteins, it is the population by these proteins of critical nodes in a network topology of signal transduction pathways that amplifies the impact of redox-mediated reprogramming. We propose that redox-mediated rewiring is essential to regulate the rate of transmission of biological signals, giving rise to a programmable cellular clock that orchestrates the pace of biological phenomena such as development and aging. We further review the evidence that an aberrant redox-mediated modulation of output of the cellular clock contributes to the emergence of pathological conditions affecting the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Vujovic
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (F.V.); (N.H.)
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | - Paul K. Witting
- Redox Biology Group, Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Neil Hunter
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (F.V.); (N.H.)
| | - Ramin M. Farahani
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; (F.V.); (N.H.)
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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12
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Gulej R, Nyúl-Tóth Á, Ahire C, DelFavero J, Balasubramanian P, Kiss T, Tarantini S, Benyo Z, Pacher P, Csik B, Yabluchanskiy A, Mukli P, Kuan-Celarier A, Krizbai IA, Campisi J, Sonntag WE, Csiszar A, Ungvari Z. Elimination of senescent cells by treatment with Navitoclax/ABT263 reverses whole brain irradiation-induced blood-brain barrier disruption in the mouse brain. GeroScience 2023; 45:2983-3002. [PMID: 37642933 PMCID: PMC10643778 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00870-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole brain irradiation (WBI), a commonly employed therapy for multiple brain metastases and as a prophylactic measure after cerebral metastasis resection, is associated with a progressive decline in neurocognitive function, significantly impacting the quality of life for approximately half of the surviving patients. Recent preclinical investigations have shed light on the multifaceted cerebrovascular injury mechanisms underlying this side effect of WBI. In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that WBI induces endothelial senescence, contributing to chronic disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and microvascular rarefaction. To accomplish this, we utilized transgenic p16-3MR mice, which enable the identification and selective elimination of senescent cells. These mice were subjected to a clinically relevant fractionated WBI protocol (5 Gy twice weekly for 4 weeks), and cranial windows were applied to both WBI-treated and control mice. Quantitative assessment of BBB permeability and capillary density was performed using two-photon microscopy at the 6-month post-irradiation time point. The presence of senescent microvascular endothelial cells was assessed by imaging flow cytometry, immunolabeling, and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). WBI induced endothelial senescence, which associated with chronic BBB disruption and a trend for decreased microvascular density in the mouse cortex. In order to investigate the cause-and-effect relationship between WBI-induced senescence and microvascular injury, senescent cells were selectively removed from animals subjected to WBI treatment using Navitoclax/ABT263, a well-known senolytic drug. This intervention was carried out at the 3-month post-WBI time point. In WBI-treated mice, Navitoclax/ABT263 effectively eliminated senescent endothelial cells, which was associated with decreased BBB permeability and a trend for increased cortical capillarization. Our findings provide additional preclinical evidence that senolytic treatment approaches may be developed for prevention of the side effects of WBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Gulej
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Nyúl-Tóth
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Chetan Ahire
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jordan DelFavero
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Priya Balasubramanian
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Tamas Kiss
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, First Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network and Semmelweis University (ELKH-SE) Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Graduate School, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Zoltan Benyo
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network and Semmelweis University (ELKH-SE) Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Graduate School, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Pal Pacher
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute On Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Boglarka Csik
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andriy Yabluchanskiy
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Peter Mukli
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Kuan-Celarier
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - István A Krizbai
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | | | - William E Sonntag
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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Awad HH, Desouky MA, Zidan A, Bassem M, Qasem A, Farouk M, AlDeab H, Fouad M, Hany C, Basem N, Nader R, Alkalleny A, Reda V, George MY. Neuromodulatory effect of vardenafil on aluminium chloride/D-galactose induced Alzheimer's disease in rats: emphasis on amyloid-beta, p-tau, PI3K/Akt/p53 pathway, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and cellular senescence. Inflammopharmacology 2023; 31:2653-2673. [PMID: 37460908 PMCID: PMC10518298 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01287-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of protein homeostasis, proteostasis, is a distinctive hallmark of many neurodegenerative disorders and aging. Deleteriously, the accumulation of aberrant proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is accompanied with a marked collapse in proteostasis network. The current study explored the potential therapeutic effect of vardenafil (VAR), a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, in AlCl3/D-galactose (D-gal)-induced AD in rats and its possible underlying mechanisms. The impact of VAR treatment on neurobehavioral function, hippocampal tissue architecture, and the activity of the cholinergic system main enzymes were assessed utilizing VAR at doses of 0.3 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg. Additionally, the expression level of amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau proteins in the hippocampus were figured out. Accordingly, VAR higher dose was selected to contemplate the possible underlying mechanisms. Intriguingly, VAR elevated the cyclic guanosine monophosphate level in the hippocampus and averted the repressed proteasome activity by AlCl3/D-gal; hence, VAR might alleviate the burden of toxic protein aggregates in AD. In addition, a substantial reduction in the activating transcription factor 6-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress was demonstrated with VAR treatment. Notably, VAR counteracted the AlCl3/D-gal-induced depletion of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 level. Moreover, the anti-senescence activity of VAR was demonstrated via its ability to restore the balance of the redox circuit. The modulation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/p53 pathway and the reduction of nuclear factor kappa B level, the key regulator of senescence-associated secretory phenotype mediators release, with VAR treatment were also elucidated. Altogether, these findings insinuate the possible therapeutic benefits of VAR in AD management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba H Awad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA University), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Desouky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Alaa Zidan
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariam Bassem
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amaal Qasem
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona Farouk
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Haidy AlDeab
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Miral Fouad
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Cherry Hany
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nada Basem
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rita Nader
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashrakat Alkalleny
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Verina Reda
- Drug Design Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mina Y George
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
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14
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Riordan R, Rong W, Yu Z, Ross G, Valerio J, Dimas-Muñoz J, Heredia V, Magnusson K, Galvan V, Perez VI. Effect of Nrf2 loss on senescence and cognition of tau-based P301S mice. GeroScience 2023; 45:1451-1469. [PMID: 36976489 PMCID: PMC10400516 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00760-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence may contribute to chronic inflammation involved in the progression of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its removal prevents cognitive impairment in a model of tauopathy. Nrf2, the major transcription factor for damage response pathways and regulators of inflammation, declines with age. Our previous work showed that silencing Nrf2 gives rise to premature senescence in cells and mice. Others have shown that Nrf2 ablation can exacerbate cognitive phenotypes of some AD models. In this study, we aimed to understand the relationship between Nrf2 elimination, senescence, and cognitive impairment in AD, by generating a mouse model expressing a mutant human tau transgene in an Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2KO) background. We assessed senescent cell burden and cognitive decline of P301S mice in the presence and absence of Nrf2. Lastly, we administered 4.5-month-long treatments with two senotherapeutic drugs to analyze their potential to prevent senescent cell burden and cognitive decline: the senolytic drugs dasatinib and quercetin (DQ) and the senomorphic drug rapamycin. Nrf2 loss accelerated the onset of hind-limb paralysis in P301S mice. At 8.5 months of age, P301S mice did not exhibit memory deficits, while P301S mice without Nrf2 were significantly impaired. However, markers of senescence were not elevated by Nrf2 ablation in any of tissues that we examined. Neither drug treatment improved cognitive performance, nor did it reduce expression of senescence markers in brains of P301S mice. Contrarily, rapamycin treatment at the doses used delayed spatial learning and led to a modest decrease in spatial memory. Taken together, our data suggests that the emergence of senescence may be causally associated with onset of cognitive decline in the P301S model, indicate that Nrf2 protects brain function in a model of AD through mechanisms that may include, but do not require the inhibition of senescence, and suggest possible limitations for DQ and rapamycin as therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Riordan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Wang Rong
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Grace Ross
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Juno Valerio
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Jovita Dimas-Muñoz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Valeria Heredia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Kathy Magnusson
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Veronica Galvan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 740 Stanton L. Young Bvd BMSB 821, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
| | - Viviana I Perez
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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15
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Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:481-493. [PMID: 37202516 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other, less prevalent dementias are complex age-related disorders that exhibit multiple etiologies. Over the past decades, animal models have provided pathomechanistic insight and evaluated countless therapeutics; however, their value is increasingly being questioned due to the long history of drug failures. In this Perspective, we dispute this criticism. First, the utility of the models is limited by their design, as neither the etiology of AD nor whether interventions should occur at a cellular or network level is fully understood. Second, we highlight unmet challenges shared between animals and humans, including impeded drug transport across the blood-brain barrier, limiting effective treatment development. Third, alternative human-derived models also suffer from the limitations mentioned above and can only act as complementary resources. Finally, age being the strongest AD risk factor should be better incorporated into the experimental design, with computational modeling expected to enhance the value of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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16
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Bickel MA, Csik B, Gulej R, Ungvari A, Nyul-Toth A, Conley SM. Cell non-autonomous regulation of cerebrovascular aging processes by the somatotropic axis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1087053. [PMID: 36755922 PMCID: PMC9900125 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1087053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related cerebrovascular pathologies, ranging from cerebromicrovascular functional and structural alterations to large vessel atherosclerosis, promote the genesis of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and exacerbate Alzheimer's disease. Recent advances in geroscience, including results from studies on heterochronic parabiosis models, reinforce the hypothesis that cell non-autonomous mechanisms play a key role in regulating cerebrovascular aging processes. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) exert multifaceted vasoprotective effects and production of both hormones is significantly reduced in aging. This brief overview focuses on the role of age-related GH/IGF-1 deficiency in the development of cerebrovascular pathologies and VCID. It explores the mechanistic links among alterations in the somatotropic axis, specific macrovascular and microvascular pathologies (including capillary rarefaction, microhemorrhages, impaired endothelial regulation of cerebral blood flow, disruption of the blood brain barrier, decreased neurovascular coupling, and atherogenesis) and cognitive impairment. Improved understanding of cell non-autonomous mechanisms of vascular aging is crucial to identify targets for intervention to promote cerebrovascular and brain health in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa A. Bickel
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Boglarka Csik
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Rafal Gulej
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Anna Ungvari
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adam Nyul-Toth
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Lorand Research Network (ELKH), Szeged, Hungary
| | - Shannon M. Conley
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
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17
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Safwan-Zaiter H, Wagner N, Wagner KD. P16INK4A-More Than a Senescence Marker. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1332. [PMID: 36143369 PMCID: PMC9501954 DOI: 10.3390/life12091332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is a biological feature that is characterized by gradual degeneration of function in cells, tissues, organs, or an intact organism due to the accumulation of environmental factors and stresses with time. Several factors have been attributed to aging such as oxidative stress and augmented production or exposure to reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines production, telomere shortening, DNA damage, and, importantly, the deposit of senescent cells. These are irreversibly mitotically inactive, yet metabolically active cells. The reason underlying their senescence lies within the extrinsic and the intrinsic arms. The extrinsic arm is mainly characterized by the expression and the secretory profile known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The intrinsic arm results from the impact of several genes meant to regulate the cell cycle, such as tumor suppressor genes. P16INK4A is a tumor suppressor and cell cycle regulator that has been linked to aging and senescence. Extensive research has revealed that p16 expression is significantly increased in senescent cells, as well as during natural aging or age-related pathologies. Based on this fact, p16 is considered as a specific biomarker for detecting senescent cells and aging. Other studies have found that p16 is not only a senescence marker, but also a protein with many functions outside of senescence and aging. In this paper, we discuss and shed light on several studies that show the different functions of p16 and provide insights in its role in several biological processes besides senescence and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Wagner
- CNRS, INSERM, iBV, Université Côte d’Azur, 06107 Nice, France
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