Aging, ROS, and cellular senescence: a trilogy in the progression of liver fibrosis

Therapeutic potential of young plasma in reversing age-related liver inflammation via modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and necroptosis

The phenomenon of inflammaging, characterized by an increase in low-grade chronic inflammation, is closely associated with diseases related to liver dysfunction. This study investigated daily plasma exchange between 5-week-old and 24-month-old Sprague Dawley rats for 30 days, focusing on protein secondary structures, NLRP3 inflammasome, and necroptosis. Conformation changes in protein secondary structures were identified by infrared spectroscopy-based pattern recognition analysis. Liver biopsies with histochemical and immunohistochemical staining were used to assess molecules associated with inflammation, necroptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome complex. Expression levels of NLRP3 components were determined by qPCR. Enhanced random coils, 310 helices, β-turns, and loop structures were identified in old rats and young rats with old plasma. Young rats and old rats with young plasma displayed higher α-helices and β-sheet structures. Young rats with old plasma showed increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 mRNA levels, indicating an inflammatory response. Whereas old rats with young plasma exhibited lower inflammation levels. Histological evaluations revealed that young rats receiving aged plasma showed significantly increased levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, TNF-α, VEGFR2, RIPK1, and MLKL immunoreactivity, whereas decreased immunoreactivity in aged rats receiving young plasma. These findings suggest that young plasma reduces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and necroptosis in aged rats.

Bioinformatics-Guided Experimental Validation Identifies NQO1 as a Senescence-Ferroptosis Hub in Liver Fibrosis

Background: As a pivotal point for the development of liver diseases, liver fibrosis (LF) is closely associated with cellular senescence and ferroptosis. However, there is a lack of effective markers that accurately predict LF status. This study aims to identify key genes involved in LF through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Methods: We used bioinformatics analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data to investigate the gene functions, prognostic value, and immune associations of characteristic genes in LF. Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed using GO and KEGG. Immune cell types and their proportions were estimated with CIBERSORTx. In addition, we analyzed the role of NQO1 in LF using IHC, WB, PCR, and flow cytometry. Results: Bioinformatics analysis identified 10 hub genes, including AR, CDKN1A, GJA1, CTSB, HIF1A, HMGB1, NQO1, PARP1, PTEN, and TXN. Among them, NQO1 was strongly correlated with immune cell activity. Experimental validation confirmed that NQO1 is upregulated and promotes αSMA and COL1A1 expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Knockdown of NQO1 significantly affected the proliferation of HSCs. Conclusions: NQO1 plays a critical role in HSC senescence and ferroptosis, promoting HSC activation and contributing to LF progression. Our findings suggest that NQO1 may serve as a potential biomarker for LF.

The PARP inhibitor olaparib promotes senescence in murine macrophages

Cellular senescence is a multifaceted process involving cell cycle arrest, telomere shortening, and the accumulation of DNA damage associated with aging and cellular stress. It is marked by persistent cell cycle arrest and DNA damage accumulation, and plays an increasingly recognized role in age-related diseases and cancer therapy. Olaparib, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, is approved for use in ovarian cancer treatment. We hypothesized that olaparib may influence senescence by inhibiting DNA damage repair, and investigated its effects on non-senescent and replicatively senescent murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells). Senescent cells exhibited elevated baseline levels of PARP1 expression, PARylation, and DNA damage relative to non-senescent control cells. Olaparib amplified these differences by upregulating senescence markers (SA-β-gal and p21), inhibiting proliferation, and exacerbating DNA damage. Many of its effects were more pronounced in senescent cells. At higher concentrations (10-30 µM), olaparib induced significant cytotoxicity through mixed apoptotic and necrotic mechanisms, with senescent cells exhibiting a predominantly necrotic response. Interestingly, both mitochondrial activity and cellular bioenergetics were elevated in senescent cells at baseline, and were more severely impaired by olaparib compared to non-senescent control cells. These findings underscore olaparib's enhanced cytotoxic and pro-senescent effects in senescent immune cells and suggest potential implications for its use in elderly cancer patients with an increased burden of senescent cells.

Berberine Extends Lifespan in C. elegans Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects

Aging is a process of gradual functional decline in complex physiological systems and is closely related to the occurrence of various diseases. Berberine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from Coptis chinensis (Huanglian), has emerged as a promising candidate for anti-aging interventions. This study comprehensively investigated the lifespan-extending effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine in C. elegans through integrated approaches including lifespan assays, locomotor activity analysis, oxidative stress challenges, and transcriptomic profiling. Furthermore, genetic models of mutant and transgenic worms were employed to delineate their interactions with the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway. Our results demonstrate that berberine extended the mean lifespan of wild-type worms by 27%. By activating transcription factors such as DAF-16/FOXO, HSF-1, and SKN-1/NRF2, berberine upregulated antioxidant enzyme expression, reduced lipofuscin accumulation, and improved stress resistance. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in lipid metabolism-related genes, particularly in pathways involving fatty acid synthesis, degradation, and sphingolipid metabolism. These findings establish that berberine exerts multi-target anti-aging effects through coordinated activation of stress-responsive pathways and metabolic optimization, providing mechanistic insights for developing natural product-based geroprotective strategies.

From mechanisms to medicine: Ferroptosis as a Therapeutic target in liver disorders

In recent 10 years, ferroptosis has become a hot research direction in the scientific research community as a new way of cell death. Iron toxicity accumulation and lipotoxicity are unique features. Several studies have found that ferroptosis is involved in the regulation of the hepatic microenvironment and various hepatic metabolisms, thereby mediating the progression of related liver diseases. For example, NRF2 and FSP1, as important regulatory proteins of ferroptosis, are involved in the development of liver tumors and liver failure. In this manuscript, we present the mechanisms involved in ferroptosis, the concern of ferroptosis with the liver microenvironment and the progression of ferroptosis in various liver diseases. In addition, we summarize recent clinical advances in targeted ferroptosis therapy for related diseases. We expect that this manuscript can provide a new perspective for clinical treatment of related diseases.

The interplay of senescence and MMPs in myocardial infarction: implications for cardiac aging and therapeutics

Aging is associated with a marked increase in cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction (MI). Cellular senescence is also a crucial factor in the development of age-related MI. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) interaction with cellular senescence is a critical determinant of MI development and outcomes, most notably in the aged heart. After experiencing a heart attack, senescent cells exhibit a Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) and are involved in tissue regeneration and chronic inflammation. MMPs are necessary for extracellular matrix proteolysis and have a biphasic effect, promoting early heart healing and detrimental change if overexpressed shortly. This review analyses the complex connection between senescence and MMPs in MI and how it influences elderly cardiac performance. Critical findings suggest that increasing cellular senescence in aged hearts elevates MMP activity and aggravates extended ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. Additionally, we explore potential therapeutics that address MMPs and senescence to enhance old MI patient myocardial performance and regeneration.