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Gao Z, Santos RB, Rupert J, Van Drunen R, Yu Y, Eckel-Mahan K, Kolonin MG. Endothelial-specific telomerase inactivation causes telomere-independent cell senescence and multi-organ dysfunction characteristic of aging. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14138. [PMID: 38475941 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14138] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
It has remained unclear how aging of endothelial cells (EC) contributes to pathophysiology of individual organs. Cell senescence results in part from inactivation of telomerase (TERT). Here, we analyzed mice with Tert knockout specifically in EC. Tert loss in EC induced transcriptional changes indicative of senescence and tissue hypoxia in EC and in other cells. We demonstrate that EC-Tert-KO mice have leaky blood vessels. The blood-brain barrier of EC-Tert-KO mice is compromised, and their cognitive function is impaired. EC-Tert-KO mice display reduced muscle endurance and decreased expression of enzymes responsible for oxidative metabolism. Our data indicate that Tert-KO EC have reduced mitochondrial content and function, which results in increased dependence on glycolysis. Consistent with this, EC-Tert-KO mice have metabolism changes indicative of increased glucose utilization. In EC-Tert-KO mice, expedited telomere attrition is observed for EC of adipose tissue (AT), while brain and skeletal muscle EC have normal telomere length but still display features of senescence. Our data indicate that the loss of Tert causes EC senescence in part through a telomere length-independent mechanism undermining mitochondrial function. We conclude that EC-Tert-KO mice is a model of expedited vascular senescence recapitulating the hallmarks aging, which can be useful for developing revitalization therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanguo Gao
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rafael Bravo Santos
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joseph Rupert
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel Van Drunen
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yongmei Yu
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kristin Eckel-Mahan
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mikhail G Kolonin
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Ali MA, Gioscia-Ryan R, Yang D, Sutton NR, Tyrrell DJ. Cardiovascular aging: spotlight on mitochondria. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H317-H333. [PMID: 38038719 PMCID: PMC11219063 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00632.2023] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are cellular organelles critical for ATP production and are particularly relevant to cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and cardiomyopathies. With advancing age, even in the absence of clinical disease, mitochondrial homeostasis becomes disrupted (e.g., redox balance, mitochondrial DNA damage, oxidative metabolism, and mitochondrial quality control). Mitochondrial dysregulation leads to the accumulation of damaged and dysfunctional mitochondria, producing excessive reactive oxygen species and perpetuating mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, mitochondrial DNA, cardiolipin, and N-formyl peptides are potent activators of cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic inflammatory pathways. These age-related mitochondrial changes contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. This review covers the impact of aging on mitochondria and links these mechanisms to therapeutic implications for age-associated cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Akkas Ali
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Rachel Gioscia-Ryan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Dongli Yang
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Nadia R Sutton
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Daniel J Tyrrell
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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Li S, Xin Q, Fang G, Deng Y, Yang F, Qiu C, Yang Y, Lan C. Upregulation of mitochondrial telomerase reverse transcriptase mediates the preventive effect of physical exercise on pathological cardiac hypertrophy via improving mitochondrial function and inhibiting oxidative stress. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166859. [PMID: 37643691 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166859] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Physical exercise is a non-pharmacological intervention that helps prevent pathological cardiac hypertrophy. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has non-telomeric functions such as protection against mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and its myocardial expression is upregulated by physical exercise. Here, we found that physical exercise caused myocardial upregulation of mitochondrial TERT and sustenance during transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Overexpression of mitochondrial-targeted TERT (mito-TERT) via adeno-associated virus serotype 9 carrying the TERT-coding sequence fused with N-terminal mitochondrial-targeting sequence improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, mito-TERT ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which were associated with improving the activity and subunit composition of complex I. Remarkably, the telomerase activator TA-65 also exhibited an antihypertrophic effect. Collectively, our results reveal a significant role for mito-TERT in mediating the antihypertrophic effect of physical exercise and demonstrate that TERT is a potential drug target for treating cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Qian Xin
- Department of Cardiology, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guangyao Fang
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yi Deng
- Department of General Practice, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Fengyuan Yang
- Department of Nephrology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Chenming Qiu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yongjian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Cong Lan
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, PR China; School of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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Gao Z, Yu Y, Dai Y, Zhao Z, Eckel-Mahan K, Kolonin MG. Gene expression in mice with endothelium-specific telomerase knockout. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1295072. [PMID: 38161328 PMCID: PMC10755458 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1295072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanguo Gao
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yongmei Yu
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yulin Dai
- Center for Precision Health, Cancer Genomics Core, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, Cancer Genomics Core, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kristin Eckel-Mahan
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mikhail G. Kolonin
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Wang X, Guo Y, Cui T, Zhang T, Hu W, Liu R, Yin C. Telomerase reverse transcriptase restores pancreatic microcirculation profiles and attenuates endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting mitochondrial superoxide production: A potential target for acute pancreatitis therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115576. [PMID: 37776643 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115576] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially lethal disease related to prominent microcirculation dysfunction. Pancreatic microvascular endothelial dysfunction enhances oxidative stress with tissue damage. Increased superoxide production disrupts endothelial junction integrity and increases endothelial permeability. Endothelial mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) represent a major intracellular source of superoxide anions. The non-canonical function of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) involves the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis in somatic tissues. METHODS We investigated whether TERT restores microcirculation dysfunction and attenuates the endothelium injury by inhibiting superoxide production during AP progression. We established TERT transgenic and TERT knock-down mice and used cerulein (CER) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injections to induce AP models. In addition, we exposed HUVECs to LPS following TERT overexpression or silencing to explore the role of TERT in endothelial dysfunction. We also performed flow cytometry and confocal microscopy assays by using HUVECs. And a mtROS inhibitor, MitoTempo, was used to scavenge mitochondria superoxide and alkyl. RESULTS TERT transgenic mice were found to have restored pancreatic microcirculation profiles and microvascular endothelial morphology compared with wild-type mice under cerulein injection. In contrast, TERT silencing displayed the opposite effect in response to cerulein. Subsequently, we showed that TERT overexpression attenuates mtROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction during LPS-stimulated endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, we found that TERT overexpression maintains the balance between mitochondrial contents and ATP level during endothelial dysfunction. In addition, the protective trend of MitoTempo is impeded after TERT silencing. CONCLUSION TERT restores pancreatic microcirculation dysfunction and attenuates microvascular endothelium lesions by inhibiting the increase of superoxide production and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yinan Guo
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weikai Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixia Liu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Dikalov SI, Gutor S, Dikalova AE. Pathological mechanisms of cigarette smoking, dietary, and sedentary lifestyle risks in vascular dysfunction: mitochondria as a common target of risk factors. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:857-866. [PMID: 36995495 PMCID: PMC10911751 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02806-y] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
In the past century, the lifespan of the human population has dramatically increased to the 80 s, but it is hindered by a limited health span to the 60 s due to an epidemic increase in the cardiovascular disease which is a main cause of morbidity and mortality. We cannot underestimate the progress in understanding the major cardiovascular risk factors which include cigarette smoking, dietary, and sedentary lifestyle risks. Despite their clinical significance, these modifiable risk factors are still the major contributors to cardiovascular disease. It is, therefore, important to understand the specific molecular mechanisms behind their pathological effects to develop new therapies to improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In recent years, our group and others have made a progress in understanding how these risk factors can promote endothelial dysfunction, smooth muscle dysregulation, vascular inflammation, hypertension, lung, and heart diseases. These factors, despite differences in their nature, lead to stereotypical alterations in vascular metabolism and function. Interestingly, cigarette smoking has a tremendous impact on a very distant site from the initial epithelial exposure, namely circulation and vascular cells mediated by a variety of stable cigarette smoke components which promote vascular oxidative stress and alter vascular metabolism and function. Similarly, dietary and sedentary lifestyle risks facilitate vascular cell metabolic reprogramming promoting vascular oxidative stress and dysfunction. Mitochondria are critical in cellular metabolism, and in this work, we discuss a new concept that mitochondria are a common pathobiological target for these risk factors, and mitochondria-targeted treatments may have a therapeutic effect in the patients with cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey I Dikalov
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2200 Pierce Ave, PRB 554, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Sergey Gutor
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2200 Pierce Ave, PRB 554, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Anna E Dikalova
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2200 Pierce Ave, PRB 554, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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Torimoto K, Eguchi S. Mitochondrial Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase, a Target for Cardiovascular Disease? FUNCTION (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2022; 3:zqac047. [PMID: 36168589 PMCID: PMC9508814 DOI: 10.1093/function/zqac047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Torimoto
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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