A BET family protein degrader provokes senolysis by targeting NHEJ and autophagy in senescent cells

Nat Commun. 2020 Apr 22;11(1):1935. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15719-6.

Abstract

Although cellular senescence acts primarily as a tumour suppression mechanism, the accumulation of senescent cells in vivo eventually exerts deleterious side effects through inflammatory/tumour-promoting factor secretion. Thus, the development of new drugs that cause the specific elimination of senescent cells, termed senolysis, is anticipated. Here, by an unbiased high-throughput screening of chemical compounds and a bio-functional analysis, we identify BET family protein degrader (BETd) as a promising senolytic drug. BETd provokes senolysis through two independent but integrated pathways; the attenuation of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), and the up-regulation of autophagic gene expression. BETd treatment eliminates senescent hepatic stellate cells in obese mouse livers, accompanied by the reduction of liver cancer development. Furthermore, the elimination of chemotherapy-induced senescent cells by BETd increases the efficacy of chemotherapy against xenograft tumours in immunocompromised mice. These results reveal the vulnerability of senescent cells and open up possibilities for its control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cellular Senescence / drug effects*
  • DNA End-Joining Repair / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Transcription Factors