Nuclear factor {kappa}B-mediated transactivation of telomerase prevents intimal smooth muscle cell from replicative senescence during vascular repair

Proteomic Mendelian randomization to identify protein biomarkers of telomere length

Shortening of telomere length (TL) is correlated with many age-related disorders and is a hallmark of biological aging. This study used proteome-wide Mendelian randomization to identify the protein biomarkers associated with telomere length. Protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were derived from two studies, the deCODE Health study (4907 plasma proteins) and the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (2923 plasma proteins). Summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for TL were obtained from the UK Biobank (472,174 cases) and GWAS Catalog (418,401 cases). The association between proteins and TL was further assessed using colocalization and summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analyses. The protein-protein network, druggability assessment, and phenome-wide MR were used to further evaluate the potential biological effects, druggability, and safety of the target proteins. Proteome-wide MR analysis identified 22 plasma proteins that were causally associated with telomere length. Five of these proteins (APOE, SPRED2, MAX, RALY, and PSMB1) had the highest evidence of association with TL and should be prioritized. This study revealed telomere length-related protein biomarkers, providing new insights into the development of new treatment targets for chronic diseases and anti-aging intervention strategies.

Short-Term TERT Inhibition Impairs Cellular Proliferation via a Telomere Length-Independent Mechanism and Can Be Exploited as a Potential Anticancer Approach

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic component of telomerase, may also contribute to carcinogenesis via telomere-length independent mechanisms. Our previous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that short-term telomerase inhibition by BIBR1532 impairs cell proliferation without affecting telomere length. Here, we show that the impaired cell cycle progression following short-term TERT inhibition by BIBR1532 in in vitro models of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, i.e., Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), and B-cell malignancies, i.e., Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines, is characterized by a significant reduction in NF-κB p65 nuclear levels leading to the downregulation of its target gene MYC. MYC downregulation was associated with increased expression and nuclear localization of P21, thus promoting its cell cycle inhibitory function. Consistently, treatment with BIBR1532 in wild-type zebrafish embryos significantly decreased Myc and increased p21 expression. The combination of BIBR1532 with antineoplastic drugs (cyclophosphamide or fludarabine) significantly reduced xenografted cells' proliferation rate compared to monotherapy in the zebrafish xenograft model. Overall, these findings indicate that short-term inhibition of TERT impairs cell growth through the downregulation of MYC via NF-κB signalling and supports the use of TERT inhibitors in combination with antineoplastic drugs as an efficient anticancer strategy.

Nucleolar stress induces a senescence-like phenotype in smooth muscle cells and promotes development of vascular degeneration

Senescence of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a disease of vascular degeneration. Perturbation of cellular ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription triggers nucleolar stress response. Previously we demonstrated that induction of nucleolar stress in SMCs elicited cell cycle arrest via the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM)/ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR)-p53 axis. However, the specific roles of nucleolar stress in vascular degeneration remain unexplored. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that in both human and animal AAA tissues, there were non-coordinated changes in the expression of RNA polymerase I machinery components, including a downregulation of transcription initiation factor-IA (TIF-IA). Genetic deletion of TIF-IA in SMCs in mice (smTIF-IA^-/-) caused spontaneous aneurysm-like lesions in the aorta. In vitro, induction of nucleolar stress triggered a non-canonical DNA damage response, leading to p53 phosphorylation and a senescence-like phenotype in SMCs. In human AAA tissues, there was increased nucleolar stress in medial cells, accompanied by localized DNA damage response within the nucleolar compartment. Our data suggest that perturbed rDNA transcription and induction of nucleolar stress contribute to the pathogenesis of AAA. Moreover, smTIF-IA^-/- mice may be a novel animal model for studying spontaneous AAA-like vascular degenerations.

TERT biology and function in cancer: beyond immortalisation

Evasion of replicative senescence and proliferation without restriction, sometimes designated as immortalisation, is one of the hallmarks of cancer that may be attained through reactivation of telomerase in somatic cells. In contrast to most normal cells in which there is lack of telomerase activity, upregulation of TERT transcription/activity is detected in 80-90% of malignant tumours. In several types of cancer, there is a relationship between the presence of TERT promoter mutations, TERT mRNA expression and clinicopathological features, but the biological bridge between the occurrence of TERT promoter mutations and the aggressive/invasive features displayed by the tumours remains unidentified. We and others have associated the presence of TERT promoter mutations with metastisation/survival in several types of cancer. In follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer, such mutations are associated with worse prognostic features (age of patients, tumour size and tumour stage) as well as with distant metastases, worse response to treatment and poorer survival. In this review, we analyse the data reported in several studies that imply TERT transcription reactivation/activity with cell proliferation, tumour invasion and metastisation. A particular attention is given to the putative connections between TERT transcriptional reactivation and signalling pathways frequently altered in cancer, such as c-MYC, NF-κB and B-Catenin.

Transcriptional Regulation of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) by MYC

Telomerase elongates telomeres and is crucial for maintaining genomic stability. While stem cells and cancer cells display high telomerase activity, normal somatic cells lack telomerase activity primarily due to transcriptional repression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic component of telomerase. Transcription factor binding, chromatin status as well as epigenetic modifications at the TERT promoter regulates TERT transcription. Myc is an important transcriptional regulator of TERT that directly controls its expression by promoter binding and associating with other transcription factors. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind regulation of TERT transcription by Myc. We also discuss future perspectives in investigating the regulation of Myc at TERT promoter during cancer development.

Transcription Regulation of the Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Gene

Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have the ability to maintain their telomere length via expression of an enzymatic complex called telomerase. Similarly, more than 85%–90% of cancer cells are found to upregulate the expression of telomerase, conferring them with the potential to proliferate indefinitely. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase holoenzyme, is the rate-limiting factor in reconstituting telomerase activity in vivo. To date, the expression and function of the human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) gene are known to be regulated at various molecular levels (including genetic, mRNA, protein and subcellular localization) by a number of diverse factors. Among these means of regulation, transcription modulation is the most important, as evident in its tight regulation in cancer cell survival as well as pluripotent stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Here, we discuss how hTERT gene transcription is regulated, mainly focusing on the contribution of trans-acting factors such as transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers, as well as genetic alterations in hTERT proximal promoter.

Short Telomere Length and Ischemic Heart Disease: Observational and Genetic Studies in 290 022 Individuals

BACKGROUND

Short telomeres are associated with aging and have been associated with a high risk of ischemic heart disease in observational studies; however, the latter association could be due to residual confounding and/or reverse causation. We wanted to test the hypothesis that short telomeres are associated with high risk of ischemic heart disease using a Mendelian randomization approach free of reverse causation and of most confounding.

METHODS

We genotyped 3 genetic variants in OBFC1 (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding fold containing 1), TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), and TERC (telomerase RNA component), which code for proteins and RNA involved in telomere maintenance. We studied 105 055 individuals from Copenhagen; 17 235 of these individuals were diagnosed with ischemic heart disease between 1977 and 2013, and 66 618 had telomere length measured. For genetic studies, we further included the Coronary ARtery DIsease Genome wide Replication and Meta-analysis (CARDIoGRAM) consortium dataset, which included up to 184 967 participants and 60 837 cases of ischemic heart disease. We conducted multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazard models for observational estimates, using logistic and instrumental variable analysis for genetic estimates.

RESULTS

Observationally, a 200-bp–shorter telomere length was associated with a multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for ischemic heart disease of 1.02 (95% CI, 1.01–1.03). Per allele, telomeres were shorter by 67 bp (73–60). In meta-analyses of all 4 studies combined, odds ratios for ischemic heart disease were 1.05 (1.03–1.08) for OBCF1, 1.04 (1.02–1.06) for TERT, and 1.01 (0.99–1.03) for TERC. A genetically determined 200-bp–shorter telomere length was associated with an odds ratio for ischemic heart disease of 1.10 (1.06–1.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Shorter telomeres were associated with a higher risk of ischemic heart disease, both observationally and genetically.

Relation Between Cellular Senescence and Liver Diseases

Cellular senescence refers to a process that cellular proliferation and differentiation modulated by the multiple stimulating factors gradually decline. Aging cells present the irreversible stop of proliferation and differentiation and change in secretory function because the cell cycle of aging cells is steadily blocked at some point. It has have been shown that cellular senescence plays an important role in the occurrence and development of liver diseases. In this paper, we review the advances in relations between cellular senescence and liver diseases.

NF-κB signaling as a driver of ageing

NF-κB signaling exerts essential roles in immunity and cellular stress responses, regulating many functions related with organism innate defense. Besides, NF-κB altered signaling has been causally linked to ageing and diverse pathological conditions. We discuss herein the functional involvement of this signaling pathway in ageing, visiting recent experimental evidence about NF-κB activation in this complex process, its functional consequences and the novel biological functions raised from these works. Moreover, we discuss ageing intervention strategies based on NF-κB inhibition, which have demonstrated to be effective at delaying and even reverting different ageing manifestations in human and mouse models of both normal and accelerated ageing. Altogether, the current evidence supports that NF-κB activation constitutes a driving force of the ageing process and a preferential target for rejuvenation-aimed approaches.

Cellular Senescence and Vascular Disease: Novel Routes to Better Understanding and Therapy

Cellular senescence is a definable fate of cells within aging, diseased, and remodelling tissues. The traditional hallmark of cellular senescence is permanent cell cycle arrest but the senescent state is also accompanied by secretion of proteins that can reinforce the senescent phenotype and adversely affect the local tissue environment. Assessment for cellular markers of senescence has revealed the existence of senescent smooth muscle cells and senescent endothelial cells in vessels of patients with atherosclerosis and hypertension. This raises the possibility that cellular senescence might contribute to the initiation or progression of vascular disease. Potential disease-promoting pathways include blunted replicative reserve, reduced nitric oxide production, and increased cellular stiffness. Moreover, the secretory phenotype of senescent vascular cells might promote vascular degeneration through chronic inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. Slowing of vascular cell aging and selective clearing of cells that have become senescent are emerging as exciting possibilities for controlling vascular disease.

Positive feedback-loop of telomerase reverse transcriptase and 15-lipoxygenase-2 promotes pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized with pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling mediated by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO)/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) according to our previous studies. Meanwhile, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activity is highly correlated with vascular injury and remodeling, suggesting that TERT may be an essential determinant in the development of PH. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution and molecular mechanisms of TERT in the pathogenesis of PH.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We measured the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and ventricular weight, analyzed morphometric change of the pulmonary vessels in the hypoxia or monocrotaline treated rats. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, transwell assay and flow cytometry in pulmonary smooth muscle cells were performed to investigate the roles and relationship of TERT and 15-LO/15-HETE in PH. We revealed that the expression of TERT was increased in pulmonary vasculature of patients with PH and in the monocrotaline or hypoxia rat model of PH. The up-regulation of TERT was associated with experimental elevated RVSP and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments identified TERT as a novel interacting partner of 15-LO-2. TERT and 15-LO-2 augmented protein expression of each other. In addition, the proliferation, migration and cell-cycle transition from G0/G1 phase to S phase induced by hypoxia were inhibited by TERT knockdown, which were rescued by 15-HETE addition.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that TERT regulates pulmonary vascular remodeling. TERT and 15-LO-2 form a positive feedback loop and together promote proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, creating a self-amplifying circuit which propels pulmonary hypertension.

Telomerase- and angiogenesis-related gene responses to irradiation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

In this study, we investigated the effects of ionizing radiation (IR) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the context of senescence. HUVECs at passage number (PN)1, PN2 and PN3 were exposed to irradiation (2 Gy). The growth rate of the HUVECS was measured by proliferation assay and senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay was used to measure the number of senescent cells. Telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase- and angiogenesis-related genes were measured by telomerase assay and real-time PCR, respectively. The number of senescent cells was significantly increased in the irradiated HUVECs at all PNs. Compared to the controls, telomerase activity, the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and c-Myc in the irradiated HUVECs were downregulated during serial passage. The downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was observed in the irradiated HUVECs as the PN increased. The data presented in this study may aid in the understanding of the mechanisms behind IR‑induced EC senescence and telomerase- and angiogenesis‑related gene response.

The microenvironment in hepatocyte regeneration and function in rats with advanced cirrhosis

In advanced cirrhosis, impaired function is caused by intrinsic damage to the native liver cells and from the abnormal microenvironment in which the cells reside. The extent to which each plays a role in liver failure and regeneration is unknown. To examine this issue, hepatocytes from cirrhotic and age-matched control rats were isolated, characterized, and transplanted into the livers of noncirrhotic hosts whose livers permit extensive repopulation with donor cells. Primary hepatocytes derived from livers with advanced cirrhosis and compensated function maintained metabolic activity and the ability to secrete liver-specific proteins, whereas hepatocytes derived from cirrhotic livers with decompensated function failed to maintain metabolic or secretory activity. Telomere studies and transcriptomic analysis of hepatocytes recovered from progressively worsening cirrhotic livers suggest that hepatocytes from irreversibly failing livers show signs of replicative senescence and express genes that simultaneously drive both proliferation and apoptosis, with a later effect on metabolism, all under the control of a central cluster of regulatory genes, including nuclear factor κB and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α. Cells from cirrhotic and control livers engrafted equally well, but those from animals with cirrhosis and failing livers showed little initial evidence of proliferative capacity or function. Both, however, recovered more than 2 months after transplantation, indicating that either mature hepatocytes or a subpopulation of adult stem cells are capable of full recovery in severe cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

Transplantation studies indicate that the state of the host microenvironment is critical to the regenerative potential of hepatocytes, and that a change in the extracellular matrix can lead to regeneration and restoration of function by cells derived from livers with end-stage organ failure.

Fatty acids impair endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation: a link between obesity and arterial stiffness in very old Zucker rats

To analyze age-related interactions between obesity, its associated metabolic disorders, and macrocirculation, we studied large artery stiffness and fatty acid responsiveness in lean and obese Zucker rats, aged 25 (adult) and 80 weeks (very old). Systolic arterial pressure was higher in old obese than in old lean rats (178 ± 10 vs 134 ± 8 mmHg, respectively). Carotid elastic modulus-wall stress curves showed increased age-dependent arterial stiffening, which was greater in obese animals. Old obese exhibited endothelial dysfunction with increased systemic oxidative stress. Adult obese had elevated plasma free fatty acid levels (1,866 ± 177 vs 310 ± 34 μg/μL in lean animals). In old obese, linoleate and palmitate increased contractility to phenylephrine and reduced relaxation to acetylcholine. Thus, obesity at 25 weeks appears to trigger accelerated arterial aging observed at 80 weeks. The early increase in free fatty acids may be a key effector in the severe arterial stiffness of the aged obese Zucker model.

Human telomerase expression regulation

Since telomerase has been recognized as a relevant factor distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells, it has become a very promising target for anti-cancer therapy. A correlation between short telomere length and increased mortality was revealed in many studies. The telomerase expression/activity appears to be one of the most crucial factors to study to improve cancer therapy and prevention. However, this multisubunit enzymatic complex can be regulated at various levels. Thus, several strategies have been proposed to control telomerase in cancer cells such as anti-sense technology against TR and TERT, ribozymes against TERT, anti-estrogens, progesterone, vitamin D, retinoic acid, quadruplex stabilizers, telomere and telomerase targeting agents, modulation of interaction with other proteins involved in the regulation of telomerase and telomeres, etc. However, the transcription control of key telomerase subunits seems to play the crucial role in whole complexes activity and cancer cells immortality. Thus, the research of telomerase regulation can bring significant insight into the knowledge concerning stem cells metabolism but also ageing. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of numerous telomerase regulation mechanisms at the transcription level in human that might become attractive anti-cancer therapy targets.