Bufei Yishen Formula Inhibits the Cell Senescence in COPD by Up-Regulating the ZNF263 and Klotho Expression

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2023 Apr 8:18:533-539. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S383295. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Bufei Yishen formula (BYF) is an effective prescription for the clinical treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the molecular mechanism by which it exerts its pharmacological effects remains to be explored.

Methods: The human bronchial cell line BEAS-2B was treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Cellular senescence markers were detected by Western blot and ELISA. Potential transcription factor of klotho was predicted using JASPAR and USCS databases.

Results: CSE induced cellular senescence with intracellular accumulation of cellular senescence biomarkers (p16, p21 and p27) and increased secretion of senescence-related secretory phenotypic (SASP) factors (IL-6, IL-8, and CCL3). In contrast, BYF treatment inhibited CSE-induced cellular senescence. CSE suppressed the transcription, expression and secretion of klotho, whereas BYF treatment rescued its transcription, expression and secretion. CSE downregulated the protein level of ZNF263, whereas BYF treatment rescued the expression of ZNF263. Furthermore, ZNF263-overexpressing BEAS-2B cells could inhibit CSE-induced cellular senescence and SASP factor secretion by upregulating the expression of klotho.

Conclusion: This study revealed a novel pharmacological mechanism by which BYF alleviates clinical symptoms of COPD patients, and regulating ZNF263 and klotho expression may be beneficial to the treatment and prevention of COPD.

Keywords: Bufei Yishen formula; ZNF263; cell senescence; klotho; senescence-related secretory phenotypic.

MeSH terms

  • Bronchi
  • Cellular Senescence
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / genetics
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / metabolism

Substances

  • Bu-Fei-Yi-Shen
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • ZNF263 protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Huai’an Science and Technology Bureau (No. HAB202037), the Innovation Service Capacity Building Program of Huai’an (No. HAP202003), Special fund of Huai’an Science and Technology Bureau: Huai’an Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Geriatric Syndrome (No. HAP202105) and The research project of elderly health in Jiangsu Province (No. LR2021050).