Senolytic therapeutics: An emerging treatment modality for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic joint disease affecting millions of people aged over 65 years, is the main musculoskeletal cause of diminished joint mobility in the elderly. It is characterized by lingering pain and increasing deterioration of articular cartilage. Aging and accumulation of senescent cells (SCs) in the joints are frequently associated with OA. Apoptosis resistance; irreversible cell cycle arrest; increased p16INK4a expression, secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors, senescence-associated β-galactosidase levels, secretion of extracellular vesicles, and levels of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species; and mitochondrial dysregulation are some common changes in cellular senescence in joint tissues. Development of OA correlates with an increase in the density of SCs in joint tissues. Senescence-associated secretory phenotype has been linked to OA and cartilage breakdown. Senolytics and therapeutic pharmaceuticals are being focused upon for OA management. SCs can be selectively eliminated or killed by senolytics to halt the pathogenesis and progression of OA. Comprehensive understanding of how aging affects joint dysfunction will benefit OA patients. Here, we discuss age-related mechanisms associated with OA pathogenesis and senolytics as an emerging modality in the management of age-related SCs and pathogenesis of OA in preclinical and clinical studies.

11-Cl-BBQ, a select modulator of AhR-regulated transcription, suppresses lung cancer cell growth via activation of p53 and p27Kip1

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and functions as a tumour suppressor in different cancer models. In the present study, we report detailed characterization of 11-chloro-7H-benzimidazo[2,1-a]benzo[de]iso-quinolin-7-one (11-Cl-BBQ) as a select modulator of AhR-regulated transcription (SMAhRT) with anti-cancer actions. Treatment of lung cancer cells with 11-Cl-BBQ induced potent and sustained AhR-dependent anti-proliferative effects by promoting G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Investigation of 11-Cl-BBQ-induced transcription in H460 cells with or without the AhR expression by RNA-sequencing revealed activation of p53 signalling. In addition, 11-Cl-BBQ suppressed multiple pathways involved in DNA replication and increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, including p27Kip1 , in an AhR-dependent manner. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of individual genes revealed the requirement for both p53 and p27Kip1 for the AhR-mediated anti-proliferative effects. Our results identify 11-Cl-BBQ as a potential lung cancer therapeutic, highlight the feasibility of targeting AhR and provide important mechanistic insights into AhR-mediated-anticancer actions.

Lack of a p16INK4a/ARF locus in fish genome may underlie senescence resistance in the fish cell line, EPC

Unlike most mammalian cell lines, fish cell lines are immortal and resistant to cellular senescence. Elevated expression of H-Ras contributes to the induction of senescence in a fish cell line, EPC, but is not sufficient to induce full senescence. Here, we focused on the absence of a p16^INK4a/ARF locus in the fish genome, and investigated whether this might be a critical determinant of the resistance of EPC cells to full senescence. We found that transfected EPC cells constitutively overexpressing p16^INK4a exhibited large size and flat morphology characteristic of prematurely senescent cells; the cells also showed p53-independent senescence-like growth arrest and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of proinflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors increased in EPC cells constitutively overexpressing p16^INK4a. These results suggest that the lack of p16^INK4a in the fish genome may be a critical determinant of senescence resistance in fish cell lines.

Structural Characterization of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis Polysaccharide and Its Property in Delaying Cellular Senescence

The sulfated polysaccharide was isolated from the purified G. lemaneiformis polysaccharide (PGP), and its property in delaying H₂O₂-induced 2BS cellular senescence was studied. The results showed that PGP was a linear polysaccharide containing alternating α-(1 → 3)- and β-(1 → 4)-galactopyranose units. Most of the sulfate groups are at C6 of the -(1 → 4)-α-D-Galp, and a small part of them are at C3 and C6. PGP pretreatment could decrease SA-β-gal-positive cells and prevent the formation of senescence-associated heterochromatic foci (SAHF) induced by H₂O₂ in a dose-dependent manner. It is speculated that PGP may delay aging by downregulating the expression of p21 and p53 genes. The finding provides new insights into the beneficial role of G. lemaneiformis polysaccharide (GP) on retarding senescence process.

Evaluation of senescent cells in intervertebral discs by lipofuscin staining

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is considered an important contributor of low back pain, a major age-related disease. Interestingly, an unprecedented high number of senescent cells has been reported in aged and degenerated IVDs, most probably affecting tissue homeostasis. In previous studies classical markers of cellular senescence have been used, such as SA-β-gal staining or p16^Ink4a expression. Aim of the presented study was a re-evaluation of the number of senescent IVD cells by using a newly established staining procedure for lipofuscin, based on a Sudan Black-B analogue (GL13), which can be used in fresh, as well as in fixed and embedded tissues. In cultures of senescent rat and human IVD cells both SA-β-gal and GL13 gave similar percentages of senescent cells. Similarly, in fresh tissues from old rats the ratios of senescent cells were high with both detection procedures. Finally, in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from humans, a significant increased number of GL13-positive cells was found in herniated tissues, as compared to apparently normal ones, while similar numbers of p16^Ink4a-positive cells were observed. These data confirm the significantly enhanced number of senescent cells in aged and degenerated IVDs, most probably contributing to the degeneration of this tissue.

The combination of mitogenic stimulation and DNA damage induces chondrocyte senescence

OBJECTIVE

Cellular senescence is a phenotypic state characterized by stable cell-cycle arrest, enhanced lysosomal activity, and the secretion of inflammatory molecules and matrix degrading enzymes. Senescence has been implicated in osteoarthritis (OA) pathophysiology; however, the mechanisms that drive senescence induction in cartilage and other joint tissues are unknown. While numerous physiological signals are capable of initiating senescence, one emerging theme is that damaged cells convert to senescence in response to sustained mitogenic stimulation. The goal of this study was to develop an in vitro articular cartilage explant model to investigate the mechanisms of senescence induction.

DESIGN

This study utilized healthy cartilage derived from cadaveric equine stifles and human ankles. Explants were irradiated to initiate DNA damage, and mitogenic stimulation was provided through serum-containing medium and treatment with transforming growth factor β1 and basic fibroblastic growth factor. Readouts of senescence were a quantitative flow cytometry assay to detect senescence-associated β galactosidase activity (SA-β-gal), immunofluorescence for p16 and γH2AX, and qPCR for the expression of inflammatory genes.

RESULTS

Human cartilage explants required both irradiation and mitogenic stimulation to induce senescence as compared to baseline control conditions (7.16% vs 2.34% SA-β-gal high, p = 0.0007). These conditions also resulted in chondrocyte clusters within explants, a persistent DNA damage response, increased p16, and gene expression changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of cartilage explants with mitogenic stimuli in the context of cellular damage reliably induces high levels of SA-β-gal activity and other senescence markers, which provides a physiologically relevant model system to investigate the mechanisms of senescence induction.

Methods to Study Myc-Regulated Cellular Senescence: An Update

Cellular senescence plays a role in several physiological processes including aging, embryonic development, tissue remodeling, and wound healing and is considered one of the main barriers against tumor development. Studies of normal and tumor cells both in culture and in vivo suggest that MYC plays an important role in regulating senescence, thereby contributing to tumor development. We have previously described different common methods to measure senescence in cell cultures and in tissues. Unfortunately, there is no unique marker that unambiguously defines a senescent state, and it is therefore necessary to combine measurements of several different markers in order to assure the correct identification of senescent cells. Here we describe protocols for simultaneous detection of multiple senescence markers in situ, a quantitative fluorogenic method to measure senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity (SA-β-gal), and a new method to detect senescent cells based on the Sudan Black B (SBB) analogue GL13, which is applicable to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. The application of these methods in various systems will hopefully shed further light on the role of MYC in regulation of senescence, and how that impacts normal physiological processes as well as diseases and in particular cancer development.

Blast Exposure Leads to Accelerated Cellular Senescence in the Rat Brain

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is one of the major causes of persistent disabilities in Service Members, and a history of bTBI has been identified as a primary risk factor for developing age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical observations of several military blast casualties have revealed a rapid age-related loss of white matter integrity in the brain. In the present study, we have tested the effect of single and tightly coupled repeated blasts on cellular senescence in the rat brain. Isoflurane-anesthetized rats were exposed to either a single or 2 closely coupled blasts in an advanced blast simulator. Rats were euthanized and brains were collected at 24 h, 1 month and 1 year post-blast to determine senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity in the cells using senescence marker stain. Single and repeated blast exposures resulted in significantly increased senescence marker staining in several neuroanatomical structures, including cortex, auditory cortex, dorsal lateral thalamic nucleus, geniculate nucleus, superior colliculus, ventral thalamic nucleus and hippocampus. In general, the increases in SA-β-gal activity were more pronounced at 1 month than at 24 h or 1 year post-blast and were also greater after repeated than single blast exposures. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed decreased levels of mRNA for senescence marker protein-30 (SMP-30) and increased mRNA levels for p21 (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, CDKN1A), two other related protein markers of cellular senescence. The increased senescence observed in some of these affected brain structures may be implicated in several long-term sequelae after exposure to blast, including memory disruptions and impairments in movement, auditory and ocular functions.

Preadipocyte secretory factors differentially modulate murine macrophage functions during aging which are reversed by the application of phytochemical EGCG

The present study aimed at evaluating the role of senescent cell microenvironment as an extrinsic causal factor for altered age-associated macrophage functions, and that whether such changes could be ameliorated by the application of tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). To ascertain this, we analyzed the impact of secretory metabolites of proliferating (P) and senescent (S) preadipocyte cells on the induction of phenotypic and functional characteristics associated with aging in macrophages isolated from young (YM) and old (OM) C57BL/6J mice. The role of EGCG as alleviator of preadipocyte media-induced senescence and inflamm-aging was evaluated in OM. Results revealed strong age-related dysregulation in macrophage functions as evident by decreased CD11b expression, enhanced expression of cytokines (IL-6/TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-10) and cell cycle inhibitors p53/p21^WAF1/p16^Ink4a, as well as augmentation of M2 phenotype (Arg1/Msr1/Mrc1) and SA-β-gal activity. Ex vivo exposure of macrophages (YM and OM) to secretory factors of preadipocytes induced differential effects, and treatment with S culture media largely showed an augmentation of senescent phenotype, particularly in the YM. Pretreatment with EGCG (10 µM) to OM caused a dramatic reversal of both age-associated and preadipocyte media-induced changes as evident from upregulation of CD11b and ROS levels, inhibition of inflammatory makers, attenuation of p53/p21^WAF1/p16^Ink4a expression and SA-β-gal activity. Our results indicate vital role of adipose tissue-mediated extrinsic factors in shaping macrophage phenotype and functions during aging. It is also apparent that EGCG is a promising candidate in developing preventive therapies aimed at alleviating macrophage inflamm-aging and senescence that may help curb incidences of inflammatory disorders in elderly.

Comparison of several commonly used detection indicators of cell senescence

Cell senescence is the state of irreversible growth arrest that can be triggered by a variety of different cellular stresses. Currently, the commonly used detection indicators involved in the study of cell senescence include senescence-associated β-galactosidase, Clusterin, Telomeres/Telomerase, senescence-associated heterochromatin foci, senescence-associated secretory phenotype, senescence marker protein-30, tumor suppressor genes p53 and p16, and other indicators such as Ki67 and decoy receptor 2. These indicators are widely used in the study of cell senescence, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. This review summarizes several commonly used cell senescence indicators and compares their accuracy, credibility, specificity, and the scope of their potential application.

3D TECA hydrogel reduces cellular senescence and enhances fibroblasts migration in wound healing

This study was designed to investigate the effect of 3D TECA hydrogel on the inflammatory-induced senescence marker, and to assess the influence of the gel on the periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) migration in wound healing in vitro. PDLFs were cultured with 20 ng/ml TNF-α to induce inflammation in the presence and absence of 50 µM 3D TECA gel for 14 d. The gel effect on the senescence maker secretory associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity was measured by a histochemical staining. Chromatin condensation and DNA synthesis of the cells were assessed by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine fluorescent staining respectively. For evaluating fibroblasts migration, scratch wound healing assay and Pro-Plus Imaging software were used. The activity of senescence marker, SA-β-gal, was positive in the samples with TNF-α-induced inflammation. SA-β-gal percentage is suppressed (>65%, P < 0.05) in the treated cells with TECA gel as compared to the non-treated cells. Chromatin foci were obvious in the non-treated samples. DNA synthesis was markedly recognized by the fluorescent staining in the treated compared to non-treated cultures. Scratch wound test indicated that the cells migration rate was significantly higher (14.9 µm²/h, P < 0.05) in the treated versus (11 µm²/h) for control PDLFs. The new formula of 3D TECA suppresses the inflammatory-mediated cellular senescence and enhanced fibroblasts proliferation and migration. Therefore, 3D TECA may be used as an adjunct to accelerate repair and healing of periodontal tissues.

Increased chemo-sensitivity by knockdown coilin expression involved acceleration of premature cellular senescence in HeLa cells

Coilin is a marker protein of the Cajal body (CB). Cajal bodies, functional nuclear structure, play important roles for the maturation of telomerase mRNAs. However, whether CB participates in the process of cell senescence is unknown. Cisplatin is a frequently used drug for the chemotherapy for various cancers, which was recently reported to be able to induce premature senescence of tumor cells. In this study, we found that when HeLa cells were treated with 2 μg/ml cisplatin for 4 days, stagnant cell growth, especially in cells stained positive of SA-β-gal, was accompanied with significant changes in CB morphologies. The removal of cisplatin allowed the recovery of normal CB appearance, but was not able to restore cells from senescent states. Knocking down coilin expression by siRNA attenuated the growth and reduced the viability of treated cells, and the decreased rate of CB formation correlated with increased staining of SA-β-gal. Interestingly, when coilin knocked-down cells exposed to cisplatin, the drug sensitivity as shown by the reduction of cell viability was significantly increased compared to the control siRNA transfection groups. Overexpression of coilin phosphomutants increased SA-β-gal fluorescence following treatments with cisplatin as compared to the wild type coilin transfection. Our results indicated that coilin was an important functional player that involved in cisplatin-induced premature cell senescence. It suggested that the modulation of coilin expression could be considered as a potential anti-tumor strategy to increase the sensitivity of chemotherapy through which drug-induced cell senescence was accelerated.

Detecting Markers of Therapy-Induced Senescence in Cancer Cells

Therapy-induced senescence (TIS), a lasting chemotherapy-evoked proliferative arrest of tumor cells, has gained increasing attention by cancer researchers because of its' profound biological implications, and by clinical oncologists due to its potential contribution to the long-term outcome of cancer patients post-treatment. Although both apoptosis and senescence represent therapy-inducible, ultimate cell-cycle exit programs, mediated via DNA damage response signaling, apoptotic cell death as the faster and often quantitatively more prominent tumor response has been in the scientific focus for decades. The more recently recognized TIS as another "safeguard" response of cancer cells that were never primed for or failed to execute apoptosis, not only reflects a more complex "arrest-plus-other features" cell-autonomous condition but produces non-cell-autonomous phenotypes at the tumor site, collectively impinging on tumor control and clinical outcome. Hence, TIS research is gaining pivotal interest from both a tumor biological and a therapeutic perspective, and the development of non-DNA damaging, senescence-evoking therapeutics is about to become a major research objective. In this chapter, we describe a well-characterized, genetically controlled TIS model system based on primary BCL2-expressing Eμ-myc transgenic lymphoma cells harboring defined genetic lesions and provide protocols for co-staining of either senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity or trimethylated lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me3) together with Ki67 to detect the senescent status of therapy-exposed cancer cells.

Protective Effect of Garlic on Cellular Senescence in UVB-Exposed HaCaT Human Keratinocytes

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells, which induces the cellular senescence and photoaging. The present study investigated the protective effects of garlic on photo-damage and cellular senescence in UVB-exposed human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. An in vitro cell free system was used to examine the scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and nitric oxide (NO). The effect of garlic extract on ROS formation, MMP-1 protein and mRNA expressions, cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, senescence associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, and silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1) activity were determined in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Garlic exhibited strong DPPH radical and NO scavenging activity in cell free system exhibiting IC₅₀ values of 2.50 mg/mL and 4.38 mg/mL, respectively. Garlic pretreatment attenuated the production of UVB-induced intracellular ROS. MMP-1 level, which has been known to be induced by ROS, was dramatically elevated by UVB irradiation, and UVB-induced MMP-1 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly reduced by garlic treatment (50 µg/mL) comparable to those of UV-unexposed control cells. UV-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine productions (IL-6 and IL-1β) were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with garlic in a dose-dependent manner. SA-β-gal activity, a classical biomarker of cellular senescence, and SIRT1 activity, which has attracted attention as an anti-aging factor in recent years, were ameliorated by garlic treatment in UV-irradiated HaCaT cells. The present study provides the first evidence of garlic inhibiting UVB-induced photoaging as a result of augmentation of cellular senescence in HaCaT human keratinocytes.

Identification of miR-494 direct targets involved in senescence of human diploid fibroblasts

Cellular senescence is a permanent cell cycle arrest triggered by different stimuli. We recently identified up-regulation of microRNA (miR)-494 as a component of the genetic program leading to senescence of human diploid IMR90 fibroblasts. Here, we used 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled to mass spectrometry to profile protein expression changes induced by adoptive overexpression of miR-494 in IMR90 cells. miR-494 induced robust perturbation of the IMR90 proteome by significantly (P≤0.05) down-regulating a number of proteins. Combination of mass spectrometry-based identification of down-regulated proteins and bioinformatic prediction of the miR-494 binding sites on the relevant mRNAs identified 26 potential targets of miR-494. Among them, computational analysis identified 7 potential evolution-conserved miR-494 targets. Functional miR-494 binding sites were confirmed in 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of 4 of them [heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A3 (hnRNPA3), protein disulfide isomerase A3 (PDIA3), UV excision repair protein RAD23 homolog B (RAD23B), and synaptotagmin-binding cytoplasmic RNA-interacting protein (SYNCRIP)/heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein Q (hnRNPQ)]. Their reduced expression correlated with miR-494 up-regulation in senescent cells. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of hnRNPA3 and, to a lesser extent, RAD23B mirrored the senescent phenotype induced by miR-494 overexpression, blunting cell proliferation and causing up-regulation of SA-β-galactosidase and DNA damage. Ectopic expression of hnRNPA3 or RAD23B slowed the appearance of the senescent phenotype induced by miR-494. Overall, these findings identify novel miR-494 direct targets that are involved in cellular senescence.

Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity marks the visceral endoderm of mouse embryos but is not indicative of senescence

Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity is widely used as a marker of cellular senescence and as an indicator of organismal aging. Here, we report that SA-β-gal activity is present in the visceral endoderm layer of early postimplantation mouse embryos in predictable patterns that vary as the embryo progresses in development. However, determination of the mitotic index and analysis of the expression of Cdkn1a (p21), a marker of senescent cells, do not indicate cellular senescence. Instead, analysis of embryos in culture revealed the presence of SA-β-gal activity in apical vacuoles of visceral endoderm cells likely a reflection of acidic β-galactosidase function in these organelles. SA-β-gal serves as a practical marker of the dynamics of the visceral endoderm that can be applied to developmental as well as functional studies of early mammalian embryos.

Anti-photoaging potential of Botulinum Toxin Type A in UVB-induced premature senescence of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro through decreasing senescence-related proteins

This study was aimed to evaluate the anti-photoaging effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNTA) in Ultraviolet B-induced premature senescence (UVB-SIPS) of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) in vitro and the underlying mechanism. We established a stress-induced premature senescence model by repeated subcytotoxic exposures to Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. The aging condition was determined by cytochemical staining of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal). The tumor suppressor and senescence-associated protein levels of p16(INK-4a), p21(WAF-1), and p53 were estimated by Western blotting. The G1 phase cell growth arrest was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of p16, p21, p53, COL1a1, COL3a1, MMP1, and MMP3 were determined by real-time PCR. The level of Col-1, Col-3, MMP-1, and MMP-3 were determined by ELISA. Compared with the UVB-irradiated group, we found that the irradiated fibroblasts additionally treated with BoNTA demonstrated a decrease in the expression of SA-β-gal, a decrease in the level of tumor suppressor and senescence-associated proteins, a decrease in the G1 phase cell proportion, an increase in the production of Col-1 and Col-3, and a decrease in the secretion of MMP-1 and MMP-3, in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that BoNTA significantly antagonizes premature senescence induced by UVB in HDFs in vitro, therefore potential of intradermal BoNTA injection as anti-photoaging treatment still remains a question.

Short-term calorie restriction protects against renal senescence of aged rats by increasing autophagic activity and reducing oxidative damage

To explore the effect of short-term calorie restriction (CR) on renal aging, 8-week CR with 60% of the food intake of the ad libitum group was administered in 25-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Aged rats subjected to short-term CR had lower body weight, level of triglycerides and ratio of urine protein to urine creatinine, respectively. Short-term CR blunted the increased glomerular volume, the degree of fibrosis, p16 and the positive rate of senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining of the kidneys in old ad libitum group. Light chain 3/Atg8 as an autophagy marker exhibited a marked decline in aged kidneys, which was increased by short-term CR. The levels of p62/SQSTM1 and polyubiquitin aggregates, which were increased in older kidneys, were blunted by short-term CR. Short-term CR retarded the level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker of mitochondrial DNA oxidative damage. Moreover, we found an increased level of SIRT1 and AMPK, and a decreased level of mTOR in aged kidneys after short-term CR. These results suggested that short-term CR could be considered as a potential intervention for retardation of renal senescence by increasing autophagy and subsequently reducing oxidative damage. Three master regulators of energy metabolism, SIRT1, AMPK and mTOR are associated with these effects.

c-ABL tyrosine kinase modulates p53-dependent p21 induction and ensuing cell fate decision in response to DNA damage

The c-ABL non-receptor tyrosine kinase and the p53 tumor suppressor protein are pivotal modulators of cellular responses to DNA damage. However, a comprehensive understanding of the role of c-ABL kinase in p53-dependent transcription of p21(CIP1/WAF1) and ensuing cell fate decision is still obscure. Here, we demonstrate that c-ABL tyrosine kinase regulates p53-dependent induction of p21. As a result, it modulates cell fate decision by p53 in response to DNA damage differently according to the extent of DNA damage. When human cancer cells were treated with DNA damaging agent, adriamycin (0.08 μg/ml), p21 was induced following p53 induction. Owing largely to p21, a substantial fraction of cells treated with adriamycin were blocked at the G2 phase of the cell cycle and most cells eventually became senescent. When these cells were simultaneously treated with a c-ABL kinase inhibitor, STI571, or a c-ABL-specific siRNA along with adriamycin, the p53-dependent p21 induction was dramatically diminished, even though p53 is substantially induced. Accordingly, G2-arrest, and cellular senescence largely dependent on p21 were substantially abrogated. On the contrary, when cells were treated with a relatively high dose of adriamycin (0.4 μg/ml) cells became apoptotic, and the simultaneous presence of a c-ABL kinase inhibitor STI571 augmented the extent of apoptosis. We speculate this is due to abrogation of p53-dependent p21 induction, which leads to elimination of anti-apoptotic function of p21. In summary, c-ABL appears to promote senescence or inhibit apoptosis, depending on the extent of DNA damage. These findings suggest that the combined use of ABL kinase inhibitor and DNA damaging drug in chemotherapy against tumors retaining wild type p53 should be carefully designed.

Sarcoid-derived fibroblasts: links between genomic instability, energy metabolism and senescence

Bovine papillomavirus 1 (BPV-1) is a well recognized etiopathogenetic factor in a cancer-like state in horses, namely equine sarcoid disease. Nevertheless, little is known about BPV-1-mediated cell transforming effects. It was shown that BPV-1 triggers genomic instability through DNA hypomethylation and oxidative stress. In the present study, we further characterized BPV-1-positive fibroblasts derived from sarcoid tumors. The focus was on cancer-like features of sarcoid-derived fibroblasts, including cell cycle perturbation, comprehensive DNA damage analysis, end-replication problem, energy metabolism and oncogene-induced premature senescence. The S phase of the cell cycle, polyploidy events, DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and DNA single strand breaks (SSBs) were increased in BPV-1-positive cells compared to control fibroblasts. BPV-1-mediated oxidative stress may contribute to telomere dysfunction in sarcoid-derived fibroblasts. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and concurrent elevation in intracellular ATP production may be a consequence of changes in energy-supplying pathways in BPV-1-positive cells which is also typical for cancer cells. Shifts in energy metabolism may support rapid proliferation in cells infected by BPV-1. Nevertheless, sarcoid-derived fibroblasts representing a heterogeneous cell fraction vary in some aspects of metabolic phenotype due to a dual role of BPV-1 in cell transformation and oncogene-induced premature senescence. This was shown with increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity. Taken together, metabolic phenotypes in sarcoid-derived fibroblasts are plastic, which are similar to greater plasticity of cancer tissues than normal tissues.

Receptor for advanced glycation end-products promotes premature senescence of proximal tubular epithelial cells via activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress-dependent p21 signaling

Premature senescence is a key process in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). In our study, we hypothesized that receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) mediate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to induce premature senescence via p21 signaling activation in diabetic nephropathy. Here, we demonstrated that elevated expression of RAGE, ER stress marker glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and cell-cycle regulator p21 was all positively correlated with enhanced senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity in DN patients. In addition, the fraction of SA-β-gal or cells in the G0G1 phase were enhanced in cultured mouse proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) and the expression of RAGE, GRP78 and p21 was up-regulated by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, ER stress inducers or RAGE overexpression mimicked AGEs induced-premature senescence, and this was significantly suppressed by p21 gene silencing. However, RAGE blocking successfully attenuated AGEs-induced ER stress and p21 expression, as well as premature senescence. Moreover, ER stress inducers directly caused p21 activation, premature senescence, and also enhanced RAGE expression by positive feedback. These observations suggest that RAGE promotes premature senescence of PTECs by activation of ER stress-dependent p21 signaling.

Senescence marker protein 30 inhibits angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) is assumed to behave as an anti-aging factor. Recently, we have demonstrated that deficiency of SMP30 exacerbates angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, dysfunction and remodeling, suggesting that SMP30 may have a protective role in the heart. Thus, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that up-regulation of SMP30 inhibits cardiac adverse remodeling in response to angiotensin II.

METHODS

We generated transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of SMP30 gene using α-myosin heavy chain promoter. Transgenic mice and wild-type littermate mice were subjected to continuous angiotensin II infusion (800 ng/kg/min).

RESULTS

After 14 days, heart weight and left ventricular weight were lower in transgenic mice than in wild-type mice, although blood pressure was similarly elevated during angiotensin II infusion. Cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in response to angiotensin II were prevented in transgenic mice compared with wild-type mice. The degree of cardiac fibrosis by angiotensin II was lower in transgenic mice than in wild-type mice. Angiotensin II-induced generation of superoxide and subsequent cellular senescence were attenuated in transgenic mouse hearts compared with wild-type mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac-specific overexpression of SMP30 inhibited angiotensin II-induced cardiac adverse remodeling. SMP30 has a cardio-protective role with anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects and could be a novel therapeutic target to prevent cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling due to hypertension.