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The Biochemical Journal Oct 2021Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) modulates many biological processes, including ageing. Initially considered a hazardous toxic gas, it is now recognised that H2S is produced... (Review)
Review
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) modulates many biological processes, including ageing. Initially considered a hazardous toxic gas, it is now recognised that H2S is produced endogenously across taxa and is a key mediator of processes that promote longevity and improve late-life health. In this review, we consider the key developments in our understanding of this gaseous signalling molecule in the context of health and disease, discuss potential mechanisms through which H2S can influence processes central to ageing and highlight the emergence of novel H2S-based therapeutics. We also consider the major challenges that may potentially hinder the development of such therapies.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Extremities; Gasotransmitters; Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide; Ischemia; Longevity; Metalloproteins; Osteoporosis; Progeria; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34613340
DOI: 10.1042/BCJ20210517 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Oct 2022Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that manifests abnormal enhanced sensitivity to environmental stimuli. The decreased prevalence of rosacea in aged...
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that manifests abnormal enhanced sensitivity to environmental stimuli. The decreased prevalence of rosacea in aged population has been reported, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we confirm that the rosacea-like skin inflammation induced by cathelicidin LL37 is alleviated in aged mice and mice with progeria. Primary mouse keratinocytes isolated from aged mice and human dermal fibroblasts that undergo senescence present a much lower sensitivity to proinflammatory stimuli. Mechanistically, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is downregulated in the skin of both aged population and mice. Knockdown of TLR2 in young human dermal fibroblasts mimics the attenuated immune response to LL37 and TNF-α evidenced in aged human dermal fibroblasts, whereas overexpression of TLR2 in aged human dermal fibroblasts rescued this attenuation. At the molecular level, in response to inflammatory stimuli, SIRT7 mediates the upregulation of TLR2, which promotes the activation of NF-κB signaling. The decay of SIRT7 confers an age-related decline of TLR2‒NF-κB signaling. Although the overexpression of exogenous Sirt7 abrogates skin immune reactivity reduction in aged mice, loss of Sirt7 alleviates the rosacea-like features in mice. Thus, we reveal a SIRT7‒TLR2‒NF-κB axis that can be targeted for the improvement of rosacea.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Animals; Dermatitis; Humans; Inflammation; Mice; NF-kappa B; Rosacea; Sirtuins; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 35413292
DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.026 -
Communications Biology Sep 2023Cytosolic citrate is imported from the mitochondria by SLC25A1, and from the extracellular milieu by SLC13A5. In the cytosol, citrate is used by ACLY to generate...
Cytosolic citrate is imported from the mitochondria by SLC25A1, and from the extracellular milieu by SLC13A5. In the cytosol, citrate is used by ACLY to generate acetyl-CoA, which can then be exported to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by SLC33A1. Here, we report the generation of mice with systemic overexpression (sTg) of SLC25A1 or SLC13A5. Both animals displayed increased cytosolic levels of citrate and acetyl-CoA; however, SLC13A5 sTg mice developed a progeria-like phenotype with premature death, while SLC25A1 sTg mice did not. Analysis of the metabolic profile revealed widespread differences. Furthermore, SLC13A5 sTg mice displayed increased engagement of the ER acetylation machinery through SLC33A1, while SLC25A1 sTg mice did not. In conclusion, our findings point to different biological responses to SLC13A5- or SLC25A1-mediated import of citrate and suggest that the directionality of the citrate/acetyl-CoA pathway can transduce different signals.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Acetyl Coenzyme A; Acetylation; Citrates; Citric Acid; Phenotype
PubMed: 37689798
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05311-1 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2022Vascular cells are constantly subjected to physical forces associated with the rhythmic activities of the heart, which combined with the individual geometry of vessels... (Review)
Review
Vascular cells are constantly subjected to physical forces associated with the rhythmic activities of the heart, which combined with the individual geometry of vessels further imposes oscillatory, turbulent, or laminar shear stresses on vascular cells. These hemodynamic forces play an important role in regulating the transcriptional program and phenotype of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in different regions of the vascular tree. Within the aorta, the lesser curvature of the arch is characterized by disturbed, oscillatory flow. There, endothelial cells become activated, adopting pro-inflammatory and athero-prone phenotypes. This contrasts the descending aorta where flow is laminar and endothelial cells maintain a quiescent and atheroprotective phenotype. While still unclear, the specific mechanisms involved in mechanosensing flow patterns and their molecular mechanotransduction directly impact the nucleus with consequences to transcriptional and epigenetic states. The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) protein complex transmits both internal and external forces, including shear stress, through the cytoskeleton to the nucleus. These forces can ultimately lead to changes in nuclear integrity, chromatin organization, and gene expression that significantly impact emergence of pathology such as the high incidence of atherosclerosis in progeria. Therefore, there is strong motivation to understand how endothelial nuclei can sense and respond to physical signals and how abnormal responses to mechanical cues can lead to disease. Here, we review the evidence for a critical role of the nucleus as a mechanosensor and the importance of maintaining nuclear integrity in response to continuous biophysical forces, specifically shear stress, for proper vascular function and stability.
PubMed: 35784481
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.905927 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2023Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. Within cardiovascular aging, arterial aging holds significant importance, as it involves structural and... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. Within cardiovascular aging, arterial aging holds significant importance, as it involves structural and functional alterations in arteries that contribute substantially to the overall decline in cardiovascular health during the aging process. As arteries age, their ability to respond to stress and injury diminishes, while their luminal diameter increases. Moreover, they experience intimal and medial thickening, endothelial dysfunction, loss of vascular smooth muscle cells, cellular senescence, extracellular matrix remodeling, and deposition of collagen and calcium. This aging process also leads to overall arterial stiffening and cellular remodeling. The process of genomic instability plays a vital role in accelerating vascular aging. Progeria syndromes, rare genetic disorders causing premature aging, exemplify the impact of genomic instability. Throughout life, our DNA faces constant challenges from environmental radiation, chemicals, and endogenous metabolic products, leading to DNA damage and genome instability as we age. The accumulation of unrepaired damages over time manifests as an aging phenotype. To study vascular aging, various models are available, ranging from in vivo mouse studies to cell culture options, and there are also microfluidic in vitro model systems known as vessels-on-a-chip. Together, these models offer valuable insights into the aging process of blood vessels.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Aging; Cellular Senescence; Arteries; Aging, Premature; Genomic Instability
PubMed: 37895059
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015379 -
Membranes Jul 2021As one of the most important cellular compartments, the nucleus contains genetic materials and separates them from the cytoplasm with the nuclear envelope (NE), a thin... (Review)
Review
As one of the most important cellular compartments, the nucleus contains genetic materials and separates them from the cytoplasm with the nuclear envelope (NE), a thin membrane that is susceptible to deformations caused by intracellular forces. Interestingly, accumulating evidence has also indicated that the morphology change of NE is tightly related to nuclear mechanotransduction and the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer and Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome. Theoretically, with the help of well-designed experiments, significant progress has been made in understanding the physical mechanisms behind nuclear shape transformation in different cellular processes as well as its biological implications. Here, we review different continuum-level (i.e., energy minimization, boundary integral and finite element-based) approaches that have been developed to predict the morphology and shape change of the cell nucleus. Essential gradients, relative advantages and limitations of each model will be discussed in detail, with the hope of sparking a greater research interest in this important topic in the future.
PubMed: 34357190
DOI: 10.3390/membranes11070540 -
Nature Communications Apr 2023Accumulating evidence suggests mitochondria as key modulators of normal and premature aging, yet whether primary oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) deficiency can cause...
Accumulating evidence suggests mitochondria as key modulators of normal and premature aging, yet whether primary oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) deficiency can cause progeroid disease remains unclear. Here, we show that mice with severe isolated respiratory complex III (CIII) deficiency display nuclear DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, aberrant mitoses, and cellular senescence in the affected organs such as liver and kidney, and a systemic phenotype resembling juvenile-onset progeroid syndromes. Mechanistically, CIII deficiency triggers presymptomatic cancer-like c-MYC upregulation followed by excessive anabolic metabolism and illicit cell proliferation against lack of energy and biosynthetic precursors. Transgenic alternative oxidase dampens mitochondrial integrated stress response and the c-MYC induction, suppresses the illicit proliferation, and prevents juvenile lethality despite that canonical OXPHOS-linked functions remain uncorrected. Inhibition of c-MYC with the dominant-negative Omomyc protein relieves the DNA damage in CIII-deficient hepatocytes in vivo. Our results connect primary OXPHOS deficiency to genomic instability and progeroid pathogenesis and suggest that targeting c-MYC and aberrant cell proliferation may be therapeutic in mitochondrial diseases.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Progeria; Electron Transport Complex III; Mitochondrial Diseases; Cellular Senescence; Cell Cycle
PubMed: 37095097
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38027-1 -
Nature Aging Nov 2023The stem cell theory of aging dictates that a decline in the number and/or function of stem cells causes tissue degeneration and aging; however, it still lacks...
The stem cell theory of aging dictates that a decline in the number and/or function of stem cells causes tissue degeneration and aging; however, it still lacks unequivocal experimental support. Here, using lineage tracing and single-cell transcriptomics, we identify a population of CD133 bone marrow-derived endothelial-like cells (ELCs) as potential endothelial progenitor cells, which contribute to tubular structures in vitro and neovascularization in vivo. We demonstrate that supplementation with wild-type and young ELCs respectively restores neovascularization and extends lifespan in progeric and naturally aged mice. Mechanistically, we identify an upregulation of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS) in aged CD133 ELCs-a key enzyme in isoprenoid biosynthesis. Overexpression of FDPS compromises the neovascularization capacity of CD133 ELCs, whereas FDPS inhibition by pamidronate enhances neovascularization, improves health measures and extends lifespan in aged mice. These findings highlight stem cell-based strategies for the treatment of progeria and age-related pathologies.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Endothelial Progenitor Cells; Longevity; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Stem Cells
PubMed: 37946040
DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00512-z -
Cell Reports May 2023One of the major cellular mechanisms to ensure cellular protein homeostasis is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. This pathway is triggered by accumulation...
One of the major cellular mechanisms to ensure cellular protein homeostasis is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. This pathway is triggered by accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER lumen. The ER stress response is also activated in the premature aging disease Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). Here, we explore the mechanism of activation of the ER stress response in HGPS. We find that aggregation of the diseases-causing progerin protein at the nuclear envelope triggers ER stress. Induction of ER stress is dependent on the inner nuclear membrane protein SUN2 and its ability to cluster in the nuclear membrane. Our observations suggest that the presence of nucleoplasmic protein aggregates can be sensed, and signaled to the ER lumen, via clustering of SUN2. These results identify a mechanism of communication between the nucleus and the ER and provide insight into the molecular disease mechanisms of HGPS.
Topics: Humans; Aging, Premature; Nuclear Envelope; Cell Nucleus; Progeria; Membrane Proteins; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Lamin Type A; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
PubMed: 37210724
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112534 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Nov 2023Patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) present with a number of premature aging phenotypes, including DNA damage accumulation, and many of them die of...
Patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) present with a number of premature aging phenotypes, including DNA damage accumulation, and many of them die of cardiovascular complications. Although vascular pathologies have been reported, whether HGPS patients exhibit cardiac dysfunction and its underlying mechanism is unclear, rendering limited options for treating HGPS-related cardiomyopathy. In this study, we reported a cardiac atrophy phenotype in the mice (hereafter, HGPS mice). Using a GFP-based reporter system, we demonstrated that the efficiency of nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) declined by 50% in HGPS cardiomyocytes in vivo, due to the attenuated interaction between γH2AX and Progerin, the causative factor of HGPS. As a result, genomic instability in cardiomyocytes led to an increase of CHK2 protein level, promoting the LKB1-AMPKα interaction and AMPKα phosphorylation, which further led to the activation of FOXO3A-mediated transcription of atrophy-related genes. Moreover, inhibiting AMPK enlarged cardiomyocyte sizes both in vitro and in vivo. Most importantly, our proof-of-concept study indicated that isoproterenol treatment significantly reduced AMPKα and FOXO3A phosphorylation in the heart, attenuated the atrophy phenotype, and extended the mean lifespan of HGPS mice by ~21%, implying that targeting cardiac atrophy may be an approach to HGPS treatment.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Progeria; Aging, Premature; Heart; DNA Damage; Genomic Instability; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Lamin Type A
PubMed: 37967221
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309200120