Wnt/β-catenin signaling induces the aging of mesenchymal stem cells through promoting the ROS production

Mol Cell Biochem. 2013 Feb;374(1-2):13-20. doi: 10.1007/s11010-012-1498-1. Epub 2012 Nov 3.

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in stem cell aging. However, the mechanisms of cell senescence induced by Wnt/β-catenin signaling are still poorly understood. Our preliminary study has indicated that activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling can induce MSC aging. In this study, we reported that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling was a potent activator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in MSCs. After scavenging ROS with N-acetylcysteine, Wnt/β-catenin signaling-induced MSC aging was significantly attenuated and the DNA damage and the expression of p16(INK4A), p53, and p21 were reduced in MSCs. These results indicated that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling could induce MSC aging through promoting the intracellular production of ROS, and ROS may be the main mediators of MSC aging induced by excessive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cellular Senescence*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / biosynthesis
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / biosynthesis
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / biosynthesis
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cdkn1a protein, rat
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Acetylcysteine