Induction of replicative senescence biomarkers by sublethal oxidative stresses in normal human fibroblast

We tested the long-term effects of sublethal oxidative stresses on replicative senescence. WI-38 human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) at early cumulative population doublings (CPDs) were exposed to five stresses with 30 microM tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP). After at least 2 d of recovery, the cells developed biomarkers of replicative senescence: loss of replicative potential, increase in senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, overexpression of p21(Waf-1/SDI-1/Cip1), and inability to hyperphosphorylate pRb. The level of mRNAs overexpressed in senescent WI-38 or IMR-90 HDFs increased after five stresses with 30 microM t-BHP or a single stress under 450 microM H(2)O(2). These corresponding genes include fibronectin, osteonectin, alpha1(I)-procollagen, apolipoprotein J, SM22, SS9, and GTP-alpha binding protein. The common 4977 bp mitochondrial DNA deletion was detected in WI-38 HDFs at late CPDs and at early CPDs after t-BHP stresses. In conclusion, sublethal oxidative stresses lead HDFs to a state close to replicative senescence.     

Regulation of dihydrofolate reductase gene expression and E2F components in human diploid fibroblasts during growth and senescence

The induction of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a key enzyme in DNA biosynthesis that is induced just before the onset of S phase, is markedly attenuated in senescent human fibroblasts (Pang and Chen, 1994, J. Cell. Physiol., 160:531–538). Footprinting analysis of the 365 bp promoter region of the human DHFR gene (−381 to −17) indicated that nuclear proteins bind to a cluster of cis-elements, including two overlapping E2F binding sequences, two Sp1 sites, and one Yi sequence. Gel mobility shift assays were performed to assess the role of each cis-element in the regulation of DHFR gene expression. We found that (1) Sp1 binding activity was constitutively expressed throughout the cell cycle in early passage and senescent cells; (2) Yi binding activity was undetectable in both early passage and senescent cells; and (3) E2F binding activity was serum-inducible, senescence-dependent, and prominent in presenescent cells but strikingly diminished in senescent cells. Northern blot analysis of the expression of E2F and DP family members showed that the E2F-1, E2F-4, and E2F-5 mRNA was growth- and senescence-dependent, whereas E2F-3, DP-1, and DP-2 expression was constitutive and senescence-independent. In contrast, E2F-2 mRNA was not detectable in IMR-90 or WI-38 human fibroblasts. Western blot analysis showed that among the E2F-associated proteins, the expression of E2F-1, cyclin A, and cyclin B but not p107 was cell cycle- and senescence-dependent. A nuclear extract mixing experiment suggested that an inhibitory factor may further reduce E2F binding activity in senescent cells. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Carnitine uptake and fatty acid utilization by diploid cells aging in culture

Uptake of carnitine by cultured human fetal lung flbroblasts (WI-38 and IMR-90) and by smooth muscle cells from calf aorta and from human uterus was found to be temperature dependent and saturable. IMR-90 cells showed an apparent K_m of 6–8 μM and a V of 21–28 pmol/h/10⁶ cells for l-carnitine. Transport was abolished by N-ethylmaleimide and was inhibited variably by octanoyl-d-carnitine, d-carnitine, and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. Although WI-38 and IMR-90 cells accumulate lipids as they age in culture, they take up carnitine as rapidly as do smooth muscle cells of aorta and uterus that do not exhibit such accumulation. Comparison of the rates of carnitine uptake by IMR-90 fibroblasts during the logarithmic phase of growth shows no difference between “young” and “old” cultures. In contrast, when confluent or postconfluent monolayers were compared and uptake expressed as a function of cell number, cells grown from late passages took up carnitine more rapidly than did cells grown from early passages. However, when account was taken of cell size, and carnitine expressed as a function of cell volume, the differences in carnitine uptake between early and late passages were no longer apparent for the confluent or postconfluent monolayers examined. Moreover, late passage fibroblasts took up and oxidized radioactive palmitate at least as rapidly as did cells from early passages. Our results suggest that accumulation of lipid in aging fibroblasts is not due to decreased carnitine uptake or fatty acid oxidation.     

Putative role for EPC-1/PEDF in the G0 growth arrest of human diploid fibroblasts

EPC-1/PEDF expression is closely associated with reversible growth arrest in normal human diploid fibroblast-like (HDF) cells and is diminished with proliferative senescence in vitro. EPC-1 expression in HDF cells is induced under conditions of density-dependent contact inhibition and growth factor deprivation. Antiserum generated against EPC-1 recognizes a secreted protein of approximately 50 kDa from medium conditioned by early passage HDF cells, but not from senescent cells. The addition of EPC-1 antiserum to early population doubling level (PDL) cultures near the plateau phase of growth significantly increases the number of cells entering DNA synthesis. Affinity purified EPC-1 antibodies alone enhance the ability of near plateau-phase early PDL WI-38 cells to synthesize DNA by as much as threefold. Further, the addition of recombinant EPC-1 (rEPC-1) to logarithmically growing cells resulted in a marked decrease in the ability of these cells to enter DNA synthesis. We also demonstrate the loss of EPC-1 expression in WI-38 and IMR-90 HDF cell lines with both senescence and simian virus 40 (SV40) transformation. The loss of EPC-1 expression with SV40 transformation occurs at the level of steady-state mRNA and protein accumulation with genomic EPC-1 sequences grossly intact. Taken together, these results suggest that EPC-1 may play a role in the entry of early passage fibroblasts into a G(0) state or the maintenance of such a state once reached.     

Microspectrofluorometry of fluorescent photoproducts in photosensitized cells. Relationship to cellular quiescence and senescence in culture

Microspectrofluorometry of L and WI-38 cells reveals chemical/structural changes due to quiescence or senescence, i.e., lipid peroxidation, spontaneous or photosensitized by hematoporphyrin. Cells treated with hematoporphyrin and a lysosomal umbelliferone probe show a fast-rising umbelliferone emission, plus a fluorescent photoproduct. Studies in rapidly growing versus quiescent L, early passage/late passage WI-38 cells, suggest accumulation of fluorescence Schiff bases (i.e., their association with granular regions of cells in stationary phase, spectral properties, fast increase in photosensitized cells) and a possible lysosomal membrane permeabilization in quiescent or senescent cells.     

Microspectrofluorometry of fluorescent photoproducts in photosensitized cells: Relationship to cellular quiescence and senescence in culture

Microspectrofluorometry of L and WI-38 cells reveals chemical/structural changes due to quiescence or senescence, i.e., lipid peroxidation, spontaneous or photosensitized by hematoporphyrin. Cells treated with hematoporphyrin and a lysosomal umbelliferone probe show a fast-rising umbelliferone emission, plus a fluorescent photoproduct. Studies in rapidly growing versus quiescent L, early passage/late passage WI-38 cells, suggest accumulation of fluorescence Schiff bases (i.e., their association with granular regions of cells in stationary phase, spectral properties, fast increase in photosensitized cells) and a possible lysosomal membrane permeabilization in quiescent or senescent cells.     

Effect of cell cycle inhibitor p19ARF on senescence of human diploid cell

To investigate the effect of cell cycle inhibitor p19ARF on replicative senescence of human diploid cell,recombinant p19ARF eukaryotic expression vector was constructed and p19ARF gene was transfected into human diploid fibroblasts (WI-38 cells) by liposome-mediated transfection for overexpression.Then, the effects of p19ARF on replicative senescence of WI-38 cells were observed. The results revealed that, compared with control cells, the WI-38 cells in which p19ARFgene was introduced showed significant up-regulation of p53 and p21 expression level, decrease of cell generation by 10-12 generations, decline of cell growth rate with cell cycle being arrested at G1 phase, increase of positive rate of senescent marker SA-β-gal staining, and decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. The morphology of the transfected fibroblasts presented the characteristics changes similar to senescent cells.These results indicated that high expression of p19ARF may promote the senescent process of human diploid cells.     

Metabolic stabilization of MAP kinase phosphatase-2 in senescence of human fibroblasts

Cellular senescence is characterized by impaired cell proliferation. We have previously shown that, relative to the young counterpart, senescent WI-38 human fibroblasts display a decreased abundance of active phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) in the nucleus. We have tested the hypothesis that this is due to elevated levels of nuclear MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP) activity in senescent cells. Our results indicate that the activity and abundance of MKP-2 is increased in senescent fibroblasts, compared to their young counterparts. Further analysis indicates that it is MKP-2 protein, but not MKP-2 mRNA level, that is increased in senescent cells. This increase is the result of the increased stability of MKP-2 protein against proteolytic degradation. The degradation of MKPs was impaired by proteasome inhibitors both in young and old WI-38 cells, indicating that proteasome activity is involved in the degradation of MKPs. Finally, our results indicate that proteasome activity, in general, is diminished in senescent fibroblasts. Taken together, these data indicate that the increased level and activity of MKP-2 in senescent WI-38 cells are the consequence of impaired proteosomal degradation, and this increase is likely to play a significant role in the decreased levels of p-ERK in the nucleus of senescent cells.     

C-ras expression decreases during in vitro senescence in human fibroblasts

Expression of the c-ras oncogene was determined in growing early and late passage human (IMR-90) fibroblasts using northern blot analysis of total cellular RNA. It was found that late passage cells demonstrated lower levels of c-ras by about four fold when compared to levels found in early passage cells. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from early and late passage fibroblasts digested with either SacI or BamHI showed somewhat increased hybridization levels in early passage cells compared to late passage cells. Data is discussed in relation to a previous report of c-ras expression and gene amplification.     

Effect of cell cycle inhibitor p19ARF on senescence of human diploid cell

To investigate the effect of cell cycle inhibitor p19ARF on replicative senescence of human diploid cell, recombinant p19ARF eukaryotic expression vector was constructed and p19ARF gene was transfected into human diploid fibroblasts (WI-38 cells) by liposome-mediated transfection for overexpression. Then, the effects of p19ARF on replicative senescence of WI-38 cells were observed. The results re- vealed that, compared with control cells, the WI-38 cells in which p19ARF gene was introduced showed significant up-regulation of p53 and p21 expression level, decrease of cell generation by 10 12 generations, decline of cell growth rate with cell cycle being arrested at G1 phase, increase of positive rate of senescent marker SA-β-gal staining, and decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. The morphology of the transfected fibroblasts presented the characteristics changes similar to senescent cells. These results indicated that high expression of p19ARF may promote the senescent process of human diploid cells.     

Single exposure of human fibroblasts (WI-38) to a sub-cytotoxic dose of UVB induces premature senescence

In this work, we present a new model of stress-induced premature senescence obtained by exposing human fibroblasts (WI-38) at early passages (passages 2-4) to a single sub-cytotoxic dose of UVB (200 mJ/cm(2)). We show that this treatment leads to the appearance of several biomarkers of senescence such as enlarged and flattened cell morphology, the presence of nuclear heterochromatic foci and beta-galactosidase activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a mild ROS production and p53 activation are upstream events required for the induction of premature senescence. Our method represents an alternative in vitro model in photoaging research and could be used to test potential anti-photoaging compounds.     

A growth history comparison of the human diploid cells WI-38 and IMR-90: proliferative capacity and cell sizing analysis

Results of growth history studies on IMR-90 and WI-38 showed that the two cell strains were equivalent in population doublings achieved per life span. However, IMR-90 exhibited higher cell yields in phase II than did WI-38. In addition, entry of IMR-90 cells into phase III occurred more abruptly than in WI-38 cultures. Cell sizing analysis showed that phase II and phase III IMR-90 cell populations contained greater numbers of cells in the small volume categories. At senescence, both cell lines contained similar numbers of cells in all size categories. These data suggest that IMR-90 may not be equivalent in all respects to current stocks of WI-38.     

A growth history comparison of the human diploid cells WI-38 and IMR-90: Proliferative capacity and cell sizing analysis

Summary Results of growth history studies on IMR-90 and WI-38 showed that the two cell strains were equivalent in population doublings achieved per life span. However, IMR-90 exhibited higher cell yields in phase II than did WI-38. In addition, entry of IMR-90 cells into phase III occurred more abruptly than in WI-38 cultures. Cell sizing analysis showed that phase II and phase III IMR-90 cell populations contained greater numbers of cells in the small volume categories. At senescence, both cell lines contained similar numbers of cells in all size categories. These data suggest that IMR-90 may not be equivalent in all respects to current stocks of WI-38.