Senescence Phenomena and Metabolic Alteration in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome

Germicidal lamps using UV-C radiation may pose health safety issues: a biomolecular analysis of their effects on apoptosis and senescence

The battle against the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a heightened state of vigilance in global healthcare, leading to the proliferation of diverse sanitization methods. Among these approaches, germicidal lamps utilizing ultraviolet (UV) rays, particularly UV-C (wavelength ranging from 280 to 100 nm), have gained prominence for domestic use. These light-emitting diode (LED) lamps are designed to sanitize the air, objects, and surfaces. However, the prevailing concern is that these UV lamps are often introduced into the market without adequate accompanying information to ensure their safe utilization. Importantly, exposure to absorbed UV light can potentially trigger adverse biological responses, encompassing cell death and senescence. Our research encompassed a series of investigations aimed at comprehending the biological repercussions of UV-C radiation exposure from readily available domestic lamps. Our focus centered on epithelial retinal cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts, components of the skin and ocular targets frequently exposed to UV irradiation. Our findings underscore the potential harm associated with even brief exposure to UV, leading to irreversible and detrimental alterations in both skin cells and retinal cells of the eye. Notably, epithelial retinal cells exhibited heightened sensitivity, marked by substantial apoptosis. In contrast, keratinocytes demonstrated resilience to apoptosis even at elevated UV doses, though they were prone to senescence. Meanwhile, fibroblasts displayed a gradual amplification of both senescence and apoptosis as radiation doses escalated. In summary, despite the potential benefits offered by UV-C in deactivating pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, it remains evident that the concurrent risks posed by UV-C to human health cannot be ignored.

Targeted activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway by Corynoline alleviates osteoporosis development

Oxidative stress is preferentially treated as a risk factor for the development and progression of osteoporosis. Corynoline as a component of Corydalis bungeana Turcz presents antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, the effects of Corynoline on osteoblasts following hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury were evaluated accompanied by the investigation of the molecular mechanisms involved. It was found that Corynoline downregulated the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and restored the osteogenic potential of the disrupted osteoblasts by H2O2 exposure. Furthermore, Corynoline was revealed to activate the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, while ML385 (an Nrf2 inhibitor) would prevent the Corynoline-mediated positive effects on the disrupted osteoblasts. In terms of the animal experiments, Corynoline treatment contributed to a significantly alleviated bone loss. These findings indicate that Corynoline may significantly attenuate the H2O2-induced oxidative damage of osteoblasts via the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, providing novel insights to the development of treatments for osteoporosis induced by oxidative injury.

Mutations in the transcriptional regulator MeCP2 severely impact key cellular and molecular signatures of human astrocytes during maturation

Mutations in the MECP2 gene underlie a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, most commonly Rett syndrome (RTT). We ask whether MECP2 mutations interfere with human astrocyte developmental maturation, thereby affecting their ability to support neurons. Using human-based models, we show that RTT-causing MECP2 mutations greatly impact the key role of astrocytes in regulating overall brain bioenergetics and that these metabolic aberrations are likely mediated by dysfunctional mitochondria. During post-natal maturation, astrocytes rely on neurons to induce their complex stellate morphology and transcriptional changes. While MECP2 mutations cause cell-intrinsic aberrations in the astrocyte transcriptional landscape, surprisingly, they do not affect the neuron-induced astrocyte gene expression. Notably, however, astrocytes are unable to develop complex mature morphology due to cell- and non-cell-autonomous aberrations caused by MECP2 mutations. Thus, MECP2 mutations critically impact key cellular and molecular features of human astrocytes and, hence, their ability to interact and support the structural and functional maturation of neurons.

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through regulating forkhead box F1/Wnt/β-Catenin axis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is characterized by inadequate bone formation of osteoblasts and excessive bone resorption of osteoclasts. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), with the potential of osteogenic differentiation, have been widely used in the bone tissues engineering for the treatment of bone diseases, including postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) has been reported to be implicated in bone formation during the development of Rett syndrome. However, the influence of MeCP2 on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs during osteoporosis remains unclear. Firstly, mice model with estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis was established through ovariectomy (OVX). MeCP2 was found to be down-regulated in bone tissues and BMSCs of OVX-induced osteoporosis mice. Secondly, over-expression of MeCP2 enhanced the calcium deposition of BMSCs isolated from the OVX-induced osteoporosis mice. Moreover, expression of osteogenic biomarkers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and osteocalcin (OCN) was increased in BMSCs by overexpression of MeCP2. Thirdly, over-expression of MeCP2 reduced protein expression of forkhead box F1 (FOXF1) and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), while enhanced Wnt5a and β-catenin expression in BMSCs. Over-expression of FOXF1 attenuated MeCP2 over-expression-induced decrease of FOXF1 and APC, as well as increase of Wnt5a and β-catenin. Finally, the increased calcium deposition, protein expression of ALP, RUNX2COL1A1 and OCN induced by concomitant overexpression of MeCP2 were also restored by FOXF1 over-expression. In conclusion, MeCP2 promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through regulating FOXF1/Wnt/β-Catenin axis to attenuate osteoporosis. MeCP2 over-expression reduced FOXF1 to promote the activation of Wnt5a/β-Catenin and promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs during the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Modeling Rett Syndrome with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Mechanistic Outcomes and Future Clinical Perspectives

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Among many different roles, MeCP2 has a high phenotypic impact during the different stages of brain development. Thus, it is essential to intensively investigate the function of MeCP2, and its regulated targets, to better understand the mechanisms of the disease and inspire the development of possible therapeutic strategies. Several animal models have greatly contributed to these studies, but more recently human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been providing a promising alternative for the study of RTT. The rapid evolution in the field of hPSC culture allowed first the development of 2D-based neuronal differentiation protocols, and more recently the generation of 3D human brain organoid models, a more complex approach that better recapitulates human neurodevelopment in vitro. Modeling RTT using these culture platforms, either with patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) or genetically-modified hPSCs, has certainly contributed to a better understanding of the onset of RTT and the disease phenotype, ultimately allowing the development of high throughput drugs screening tests for potential clinical translation. In this review, we first provide a brief summary of the main neurological features of RTT and the impact of MeCP2 mutations in the neuropathophysiology of this disease. Then, we provide a thorough revision of the more recent advances and future prospects of RTT modeling with human neural cells derived from hPSCs, obtained using both 2D and organoids culture systems, and its contribution for the current and future clinical trials for RTT.

MeCP2: The Genetic Driver of Rett Syndrome Epigenetics

Mutations in methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) are the major cause of Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with a notable period of developmental regression following apparently normal initial development. Such MeCP2 alterations often result in changes to DNA binding and chromatin clustering ability, and in the stability of this protein. Among other functions, MeCP2 binds to methylated genomic DNA, which represents an important epigenetic mark with broad physiological implications, including neuronal development. In this review, we will summarize the genetic foundations behind RTT, and the variable degrees of protein stability exhibited by MeCP2 and its mutated versions. Also, past and emerging relationships that MeCP2 has with mRNA splicing, miRNA processing, and other non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) will be explored, and we suggest that these molecules could be missing links in understanding the epigenetic consequences incurred from genetic ablation of this important chromatin modifier. Importantly, although MeCP2 is highly expressed in the brain, where it has been most extensively studied, the role of this protein and its alterations in other tissues cannot be ignored and will also be discussed. Finally, the additional complexity to RTT pathology introduced by structural and functional implications of the two MeCP2 isoforms (MeCP2-E1 and MeCP2-E2) will be described. Epigenetic therapeutics are gaining clinical popularity, yet treatment for Rett syndrome is more complicated than would be anticipated for a purely epigenetic disorder, which should be taken into account in future clinical contexts.

Molecular Mechanisms Contributing to Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Aging

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are a reservoir for tissue homeostasis and repair that age during organismal aging. Beside the fundamental in vivo role of MSCs, they have also emerged in the last years as extremely promising therapeutic agents for a wide variety of clinical conditions. MSC use frequently requires in vitro expansion, thus exposing cells to replicative senescence. Aging of MSCs (both in vivo and in vitro) can affect not only their replicative potential, but also their properties, like immunomodulation and secretory profile, thus possibly compromising their therapeutic effect. It is therefore of critical importance to unveil the underlying mechanisms of MSC senescence and to define shared methods to assess MSC aging status. The present review will focus on current scientific knowledge about MSC aging mechanisms, control and effects, including possible anti-aging treatments.

Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 in Alzheimer Dementia

Despite decades of research on Alzheimer disease, understanding the complexity of the genetic and molecular interactions involved in its pathogenesis remains far from our grasp. Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) is an important epigenetic regulator enriched in the brain, and recent findings have implicated MeCP2 as a crucial player in Alzheimer disease. Here, we provide comprehensive insights into the pathophysiological roles of MeCP2 in Alzheimer disease. In particular, we focus on how the alteration of MeCP2 expression can impact Alzheimer disease through risk genes, amyloid-β and tau pathology, cell death and neurodegeneration, and cellular senescence. We suggest that Alzheimer disease can be adversely affected by upregulated MeCP2-dependent repression of risk genes (MEF2C, ADAM10, and PM20D1), increased tau accumulation, and neurodegeneration through neuronal cell death (excitotoxicity and apoptosis). In addition, we propose that the progression of Alzheimer disease could be caused by reduced MeCP2-mediated enhancement of astrocytic and microglial senescence and consequent glial SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype)-dependent neuroinflammation. We surmise that any imbalance in MeCP2 function would accelerate or cause Alzheimer disease pathogenesis, implying that MeCP2 may be a potential drug target for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer disease.

Sphingolipid Metabolism Perturbations in Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder affecting mostly females and is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the MECP2 gene that encoded the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2. The pathogenetic mechanisms of Rett syndrome are not completely understood and metabolic derangements are emerging as features of Rett syndrome. We performed a semi-quantitative tandem mass spectrometry-based analysis that measured over 900 metabolites on blood samples from 14 female subjects with Rett syndrome carrying MECP2 mutations. The metabolic profiling revealed alterations in lipids, mostly involved in sphingolipid metabolism, and sphinganine/sphingosine, that are known to have a neurotrophic role. Further investigations are required to understand the mechanisms underlying such perturbations and their significance in the disease pathogenesis. Nevertheless, these metabolites are attractive for studies on the disease pathogenesis and as potential disease biomarkers.

Glial Dysfunction in MeCP2 Deficiency Models: Implications for Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare, X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder typically affecting females, resulting in a range of symptoms including autistic features, intellectual impairment, motor deterioration, and autonomic abnormalities. RTT is primarily caused by the genetic mutation of the Mecp2 gene. Initially considered a neuronal disease, recent research shows that glial dysfunction contributes to the RTT disease phenotype. In the following manuscript, we review the evidence regarding glial dysfunction and its effects on disease etiology.