Altered Ca2+ Homeostasis in Immune Cells during Aging: Role of Ion Channels

Adipose Tissue Exosome circ_sxc Mediates the Modulatory of Adiposomes on Brain Aging by Inhibiting Brain dme-miR-87-3p

Aging of the brain usually leads to the decline of neurological processes and is a major risk factor for various neurodegenerative diseases, including sleep disturbances and cognitive decline. Adipose tissue exosomes, as adipocyte-derived vesicles, may mediate the regulatory processes of adipose tissue on other organs, including the brain; however, the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We analyzed the sleep-wake behavior of young (10 days) and old (40 days) Drosophila and found that older Drosophila showed increased sleep fragmentation, which is similar to mammalian aging characteristics. To investigate the cross-tissue regulatory mechanisms of adiposity on brain aging, we extracted 10-day and 40-day Drosophila adipose tissue exosomes and identified circRNAs with age-dependent expression differences by RNA-seq and differential analysis. Furthermore, by combining data from 3 datasets of the GEO database (GSE130158, GSE24992, and GSE184559), circ_sxc that was significantly downregulated with age was finally screened out. Moreover, dme-miR-87-3p, a conserved target of circ_sxc, accumulates in the brain with age and exhibits inhibitory effects in predicted binding relationships with neuroreceptor ligand genes. In summary, the current study showed that the Drosophila brain could obtain circ_sxc by uptake of adipose tissue exosomes which crossed the blood-brain barrier. And circ_sxc suppressed brain miR-87-3p expression through sponge adsorption, which in turn regulated the expression of neurological receptor ligand proteins (5-HT1B, GABA-B-R1, Rdl, Rh7, qvr, NaCP60E) and ensured brain neuronal synaptic signaling normal function of synaptic signaling. However, with aging, this regulatory mechanism is dysregulated by the downregulation of the adipose exosome circ_sxc, which contributes to the brain exhibiting sleep disturbances and other "aging" features.

GPR35 acts a dual role and therapeutic target in inflammation

GPR35 is a G protein-coupled receptor with notable involvement in modulating inflammatory responses. Although the precise role of GPR35 in inflammation is not yet fully understood, studies have suggested that it may have both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects depending on the specific cellular environment. Some studies have shown that GPR35 activation can stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and facilitate the movement of immune cells towards inflammatory tissues or infected areas. Conversely, other investigations have suggested that GPR35 may possess anti-inflammatory properties in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and certain other tissues by curbing the generation of inflammatory mediators and endorsing the differentiation of regulatory T cells. The intricate role of GPR35 in inflammation underscores the requirement for more in-depth research to thoroughly comprehend its functional mechanisms and its potential significance as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this review is to concurrently investigate the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles of GPR35, thus illuminating both facets of this complex issue.

PPP3R1 Promotes MSCs Senescence by Inducing Plasma Membrane Depolarization and Increasing Ca2+ Influx

Aging of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) has been widely reported to be strongly associated with aging-related diseases, including osteoporosis (OP). In particular, the beneficial functions of mesenchymal stem cells decline with age, limiting their therapeutic efficacy in age-related bone loss diseases. Therefore, how to improve mesenchymal stem cell aging to treat age-related bone loss is the current research focus. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, protein phosphatase 3, regulatory subunit B, alpha isoform, calcineurin B, type I (PPP3R1) was found to accelerate the senescence of mesenchymal stem cells, resulting in reduced osteogenic differentiation and enhanced adipogenic differentiation in vitro. Mechanistically, PPP3R1 induces changes in membrane potential to promote cellular senescence by polarizing to depolarizing, increasing Ca²⁺ influx and activating downstream NFAT/ATF3/p53 signaling. In conclusion, the results identify a novel pathway of mesenchymal stem cell aging that may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for age-related bone loss.

Age-dependent expression of ion channel genes in rat

Ion channels regulate a large number of cellular functions and their functional role in many diseases makes them potential therapeutic targets. Given their diverse distribution across multiple organs, the roles of ion channels, particularly in age-associated transcriptomic changes in specific organs, are yet to be fully revealed. Using RNA-seq data, we investigated the rat transcriptomic profiles of ion channel genes across 11 organs/tissues and 4 developmental stages in both sexes of Fischer 344 rats and identify tissue-specific and age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression. Organ-enriched ion channel genes were identified. In particular, the brain showed higher tissue-specificity of ion channel genes, including Gabrd, Gabra6, Gabrg2, Grin2a, and Grin2b. Notably, age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression were prominently observed in the thymus, including in Aqp1, Clcn4, Hvcn1, Itpr1, Kcng2, Kcnj11, Kcnn3, and Trpm2. Our comprehensive study of ion channel gene expression will serve as a primary resource for biological studies of aging-related diseases caused by abnormal ion channel functions.

Functional Role of STIM-1 and Orai1 in Human Microvascular Aging

The impact of aging on vascular function is heterogeneous depending on the vascular territories. Calcium regulation plays a key role in vascular function and has been implicated in aging-related hypercontractility of corpus cavernosum. We aimed to evaluate stromal interaction molecule (STIM)/Orai system involvement in aging-related vascular alterations in the human macro and microvasculature. Aortae specimens and mesenteric arteries (MA), obtained from 45 organ donors, were functionally evaluated in organ chambers and wire myographs. Subjects were divided into groups either younger or older than 65-years old. The expressions of STIM-1, Orai1, and Orai3 were determined by immunofluorescence in the aorta and MA, and by Western blot in the aorta homogenates. The inhibition of STIM/Orai with YM-58483 (20 μM) reversed adrenergic hypercontractility in MA from older subjects but did not modify aging-related hypercontractility in the aortic strips. Aging was related to an increased expression of Orai1 in human aorta, while Orai1 and STIM-1 were upregulated in MA. STIM-1 and Orai1 protein expressions were inversely correlated to endothelial function in MA. Circulating levels of Orai1 were correlated with the inflammatory factor TNF-α and with the endothelial dysfunction marker asymmetric dimethylarginine. Aging is associated with an increased expression of the STIM/Orai system in human vessels with functional relevance only in the microvascular territory, suggesting its role in aging-related microvascular dysfunction.

Molecular subtyping of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by large-scale transcriptional profiling: Characterization, therapeutic targets, and prognostic value

The tumor heterogeneity of the transcriptional profiles is independent of genetic variation. Several studies have successfully identified esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) subtypes based on the somatic mutation profile and copy number variations on the genome. However, transcriptome-based classification is limited. In this study, we classified 141 patients with ESCC into three subtypes (Subtype 1, Subtype 2, and Subtype 3) via tumor sample gene expression profiling. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of paired tumor and normal samples for each subtype revealed significant difference among subtypes. Moreover, the degree of change in the expression levels of most genes gradually increased from Subtype 1 to Subtype 3. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified the representative pathways in each subtype: Subtype 1, abnormal Wnt signaling pathway activation; Subtype 2, inhibition of glycogen metabolism; and Subtype 3, downregulation of neutrophil degranulation process. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to elucidate the finer regulation of biological pathways and discover hub genes. Subsequently, nine hub genes (CORO1A, CD180, SASH3, CD52, CD300A, CD14, DUSP1, KIF14, and MCM2) were validated to be associated with survival in ESCC based on the RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The clustering analysis of ESCC granted better understanding of the molecular characteristics of ESCC and led to the discover of new potential therapeutic targets that may contribute to the clinical treatment of ESCC.

Faster cytotoxicity with age: Increased perforin and granzyme levels in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells boost cancer cell elimination

A variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to the altered efficiency of CTLs in elderly organisms. In particular, the efficacy of antiviral CD8⁺ T cells responses in the elderly has come back into focus since the COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak. However, the exact molecular mechanisms leading to alterations in T cell function and the origin of the observed impairments have not been fully explored. Therefore, we investigated whether intrinsic changes affect the cytotoxic ability of CD8⁺ T cells in aging. We focused on the different subpopulations and time‐resolved quantification of cytotoxicity during tumor cell elimination. We report a surprising result: Killing kinetics of CD8⁺ T cells from elderly mice are much faster than those of CD8⁺ T cells from adult mice. This is true not only in the total CD8⁺ T cell population but also for their effector (T_EM) and central memory (T_CM) T cell subpopulations. TIRF experiments reveal that CD8⁺ T cells from elderly mice possess comparable numbers of fusion events per cell, but significantly increased numbers of cells with granule fusion. Analysis of the cytotoxic granule (CG) content shows significantly increased perforin and granzyme levels and turns CD8⁺ T cells of elderly mice into very efficient killers. This highlights the importance of distinguishing between cell‐intrinsic alterations and microenvironmental changes in elderly individuals. Our results also stress the importance of analyzing the dynamics of CTL cytotoxicity against cancer cells because, with a simple endpoint lysis analysis, cytotoxic differences could have easily been overlooked.

Virus-Induced Membrane Fusion in Neurodegenerative Disorders

A growing body of epidemiological and research data has associated neurotropic viruses with accelerated brain aging and increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Many viruses replicate optimally in senescent cells, as they offer a hospitable microenvironment with persistently elevated cytosolic calcium, abundant intracellular iron, and low interferon type I. As cell-cell fusion is a major driver of cellular senescence, many viruses have developed the ability to promote this phenotype by forming syncytia. Cell-cell fusion is associated with immunosuppression mediated by phosphatidylserine externalization that enable viruses to evade host defenses. In hosts, virus-induced immune dysfunction and premature cellular senescence may predispose to neurodegenerative disorders. This concept is supported by novel studies that found postinfectious cognitive dysfunction in several viral illnesses, including human immunodeficiency virus-1, herpes simplex virus-1, and SARS-CoV-2. Virus-induced pathological syncytia may provide a unified framework for conceptualizing neuronal cell cycle reentry, aneuploidy, somatic mosaicism, viral spreading of pathological Tau and elimination of viable synapses and neurons by neurotoxic astrocytes and microglia. In this narrative review, we take a closer look at cell-cell fusion and vesicular merger in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. We present a "decentralized" information processing model that conceptualizes neurodegeneration as a systemic illness, triggered by cytoskeletal pathology. We also discuss strategies for reversing cell-cell fusion, including, TMEM16F inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, senolytics, and tubulin stabilizing agents. Finally, going beyond neurodegeneration, we examine the potential benefit of harnessing fusion as a therapeutic strategy in regenerative medicine.

Therapeutic effects of SKF-96365 on murine allergic rhinitis induced by OVA

INTRODUCTION

SKF-96365 is regarded as an inhibitor of receptor-mediated calcium ion (Ca2+) entry. The current study aimed to explore the effects of SKF-96365 on murine allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODS

Intranasal SKF-96365 administration was performed on OVA induced murine AR. Serum and nasal lavage fluid (NLF) from mice were harvested to assay IgE and inflammatory cytokines using ELISA method. Inflammatory cells were counted and analyzed in NLF. Nasal mucosa tissues were collected from mice and used for HE staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and real-time PCR detection.

RESULTS

SKF-96365 had therapeutic effects on murine AR manifesting attenuation of sneezing, nasal rubbing, IgE, inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cells, TRPC6 immunolabeling, and TRPC6, STIM1 and Orai1 mRNA levels in AR mice.

CONCLUSION

SKF-96365 could effectively alleviate the symptoms of murine AR. SKF-96365 could suppress TRPC6, STIM1, and Orai1 activities, leading to the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cells in murine AR.