FGF21 alleviates adipose stem cell senescence via CD90 glycosylation-dependent glucose influx in remodeling healthy white adipose tissue

Adipose-derived stem cells regulate mitochondrial dynamics to alleviate the aging of HFF-1 cells

The objective of this study is to explore how adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) regulate mitochondrial structure and function and the impact of this regulation on slowing cellular senescence. HFF-1 cells were induced by H2O2 to establish a cellular senescence model, and ASCs or Mdivi-1 (mitochondrial fission inhibitor) was added. MTT examined the cell proliferation; flow cytometry detected mitochondrial membrane potential as well as apoptosis and cell cycle; kit measured ATP production; ELISA analyzed the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha-like (TNF-α), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD); Western blotting and qRT-PCR detected the expression of protein and mRNA levels; and β-galactosidase staining observed the degree of cellular senescence. Compared to normal HFF-1 cells, senescent HFF-1 cells exhibited weaker proliferative capacity, marked apoptosis, and G0-G1 cell cycle arrest. These cells also showed lower mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, higher expression of inflammatory factors, oxidative damage, and increased levels of senescence. Treatment with Mdivi-1 or ASCs enhanced HFF-1 cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, decreased the expression of inflammatory factors, and mitigated oxidative stress, thereby reducing the degree of cellular senescence. Concurrent intervention with Mdivi-1 and ASCs further diminishes the impacts of cellular senescence. In conclusion, ASCs regulate mitochondrial dynamics (promoting mitochondrial fusion and inhibiting mitochondrial fission), enhance ATP production, and upregulate mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby alleviating cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress induced by senescence in HFF-1 cells.

Dissecting the functions and regulatory mechanisms of disulfidoptosis-related RPN1 in pan-cancer: modulation of immune microenvironment and cellular senescence

Introduction

Cancer's inherent heterogeneity, marked by diverse genetic and molecular alterations, presents significant challenges for developing effective treatments. One such alteration is the regulation of disulfidoptosis, a recently discovered programmed cell death pathway. RPN1, a key regulator associated with disulfidoptosis, may influence various aspects of tumor biology, including immune evasion and cellular senescence. This study aims to dissect the role of RPN1 in pan-cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Methods

We employed a pan-cancer analysis to explore RPN1 expression and its association with clinical outcomes across multiple tumor types. Immune cell infiltration and expression of immune checkpoint genes were analyzed in relation to RPN1. Additionally, cellular senescence markers were assessed in RPN1 knockdown tumor cells. Gene regulatory mechanisms were studied through gene copy number variations, DNA methylation analysis, and transcriptional regulation by SP1.

Results

RPN1 is overexpressed in a wide range of tumor types and correlates with poor clinical outcomes, including overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free intervals. Our analysis shows that RPN1 is involved in immune evasion, correlating with the presence of myeloid dendritic cells, macrophages, and tumor-associated fibroblasts, and influencing T-cell activity. RPN1 knockdown led to reduced tumor cell proliferation and induced cellular senescence, marked by increased senescence-associated biomarkers and β-galactosidase activity. RPN1 expression was found to be regulated by gene copy number variations, reduced DNA methylation, and transcriptional control via SP1.

Discussion

These findings highlight RPN1 as a key pan-cancer regulator, influencing immune microenvironment interactions and cellular senescence. The regulation of disulfidoptosis by RPN1 presents a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. Targeting RPN1 could enhance immunotherapy efficacy and help mitigate tumor progression, offering a potential strategy for cancer treatment.

A nutrigeroscience approach: Dietary macronutrients and cellular senescence

Cellular senescence, a process in which a cell exits the cell cycle in response to stressors, is one of the hallmarks of aging. Senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)-a heterogeneous set of secreted factors that disrupt tissue homeostasis and promote the accumulation of senescent cells-reprogram metabolism and can lead to metabolic dysfunction. Dietary interventions have long been studied as methods to combat age-associated metabolic dysfunction, promote health, and increase lifespan. A growing body of literature suggests that senescence is responsive to diet, both to calories and specific dietary macronutrients, and that the metabolic benefits of dietary interventions may arise in part through reducing senescence. Here, we review what is currently known about dietary macronutrients' effect on senescence and the SASP, the nutrient-responsive molecular mechanisms that may mediate these effects, and the potential for these findings to inform the development of a nutrigeroscience approach to healthy aging.

Glycosylation in aging and neurodegenerative diseases

Aging, a complex biological process, involves the progressive decline of physiological functions across various systems, leading to increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. In society, demographic aging imposes significant economic and social burdens due to these conditions. This review specifically examines the association of protein glycosylation with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Glycosylation, a critical post-translational modification, influences numerous aspects of protein function that are pivotal in aging and the pathophysiology of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions. We highlight the alterations in glycosylation patterns observed during aging, their implications in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and the potential of glycosylation profiles as biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and monitoring of these age-associated conditions, and delve into the mechanisms of glycosylation. Furthermore, this review explores their role in regulating protein function and mediating critical biological interactions in these diseases. By examining the changes in glycosylation profiles associated with each part, this review underscores the potential of glycosylation research as a tool to enhance our understanding of aging and its related diseases.

The multifaceted life of macrophages in white adipose tissue: Immune shift couples with metabolic switch

White adipose tissue (WAT) is a vital endocrine organ that regulates energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. In addition to fat cells, WAT harbors macrophages with distinct phenotypes that play crucial roles in immunity and metabolism. Nutrient demands cause macrophages to accumulate in WAT niches, where they remodel the microenvironment and produce beneficial or detrimental effects on systemic metabolism. Given the abundance of macrophages in WAT, this review summarizes the heterogeneity of WAT macrophages in physiological and pathological conditions, including their alterations in quantity, phenotypes, characteristics, and functions during WAT growth and development, as well as healthy or unhealthy expansion. We will discuss the interactions of macrophages with other cell partners in WAT including adipose stem cells, adipocytes, and T cells in the context of various microenvironment niches in lean or obese condition. Finally, we highlight how adipose tissue macrophages merge immunity and metabolic changes to govern energy balance for the organism.

A strategy for oral delivery of FGF21 for mitigating inflammation and multi-organ damage in sepsis

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) shows great therapeutic potential in metabolic, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. However, current FGF21 administration predominantly relies on injection rather than oral ingestion due to its limited stability and activity post-gastrointestinal transit, thereby hindering its clinical utility. Milk-derived exosomes (mEx) have emerged as a promising vehicle for oral drug delivery due to their ability to maintain structural integrity in the gastrointestinal milieu. To address the challenge associated with oral delivery of FGF21, we encapsulated FGF21 within mEx (mEx@FGF21) to protect its activity post-oral administration. Additionally, we modified the surface of mEx@FGF21 by introducing transferrin (TF) to enhance intestinal absorption and transport, designated TF-mEx@FGF21. In vitro results demonstrated that the surface modification of TF promoted FGF21 internalization by intestinal epithelial cells. Orally administered TF-mEx@FGF21 showed promising therapeutic effects in septic mice. This study represents a practicable strategy for advancing the clinical application of oral FGF21 delivery.