Biology subjects

Venkatasubramanian, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Venkatasubramanian, R..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Cellular Senescence Mediates Doxorubicin Chemotherapy-Induced Aortic Stiffening: Role of Glycation Stress

BackgroundMechanisms underlying Doxorubicin (Doxo) chemotherapy-induced aortic stiffening are incompletely understood. ObjectivesDetermine the role of cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in mediating Doxo-induced aortic stiffening and the influence of senolytic therapy. MethodsAortic stiffness (aortic pulse-wave velocity [PWV]), and associated mechanisms were assessed in young adult p16-3MR mice, a model that allows for genetic-based clearance of senescent cells with ganciclovir [GCV]. Young (4-6 month) mice were injected with Doxo and subsequently treated with GCV or the senolytic ABT263. We evaluated the influence of SASP-associated circulating factors in plasma (the circulating SASP milieu) in mediating aortic stiffening ex vivo (aortic elastic modulus) and examined the contribution of glycation stress. ResultsDoxo increased aortic PWV (425D{+/-}D6 vs. control, 353D{+/-}D5Dcm/sec; P<0.05), an effect prevented by both GCV (348D{+/-}D4Dcm/sec) and ABT263 (342D{+/-}D7Dcm/sec; P<0.05 for both vs. Doxo). Plasma from Doxo-treated mice induced aortic stiffening ex vivo (P<0.05 vs. plasma from control mice), whereas plasma from Doxo-GCV and Doxo-ABT263 groups did not. Glycation stress was implicated in SASP-mediated aortic stiffening with Doxo, as inhibition of receptor mediated glycation stress signaling attenuated plasma-induced aortic stiffening. ConclusionCellular senescence and the circulating SASP milieu contribute to Doxo-induced aortic stiffening. Senolytics hold promise for preserving aortic stiffening following Doxo exposure. Translational perspectiveChemotherapy-induced cardiovascular toxicity is a concern for cancer survivors. This study identifies cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) as underlying mechanisms of doxorubicin chemotherapy-induced aortic stiffening - an antecedent to overt cardiovascular disease (CVD). We also provide complementary lines of evidence that glycation stress mediates the mechanistic link between doxorubicin, cellular senescence, the SASP and aortic stiffening. Lastly, we demonstrate the efficacy of senolytic therapy for targeting cellular senescence, the SASP and glycation stress to prevent doxorubicin-induced aortic stiffening. These results offer a novel and clinically actionable approach to preserving vascular health in cancer survivors and mitigating CVD risk.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Cellular Senescence Mediates Doxorubicin Chemotherapy-Induced Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction: Translational Evidence of Prevention with Senolytic Treatment

BackgroundMechanisms underlying Doxorubicin (Doxo) chemotherapy-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction are incompletely understood. ObjectivesDetermine the role of cellular senescence in mediating Doxo-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and the influence of senolytic therapy as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate endothelial dysfunction with Doxo. MethodsEndothelial function (carotid artery endothelium-dependent dilation [EDD] to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine) and associated mechanisms were assessed in young adult p16-3MR mice (which allow for genetic-based clearance of senescent cells with ganciclovir [GCV]) injected with Doxo and subsequently treated with GCV or ABT263 (senolytic). We also assessed the influence of Doxo and ABT263 ex vivo on EDD to increased flow in human arterioles. ResultsLower peak EDD with Doxo (75{+/-}3% vs. control, 93{+/-}1%; P<0.05) was prevented with GCV (94{+/-}1%; P<0.05) and ABT263 (95{+/-}2%; P<0.05) treatment, which was mediated by preserved nitric oxide bioavailability and prevention of excess mitochondrial oxidative stress. In human arterioles, ex vivo Doxo exposure impaired peak EDD (Doxo, 32{+/-}10% vs. Control, 94{+/-}2%; P<0.05) which was prevented with concomitant incubation of Doxo with ABT263 (82{+/-}7%; P<0.05 vs. Doxo alone; P=0.63 vs. Control). ConclusionWe provide translational evidence that cellular senescence contributes to Doxo-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and that senolytics hold promise for preserving vascular endothelial function following Doxo exposure.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Methylglyoxal-induced glycation stress promotes aortic stiffening: Putative mechanistic roles of oxidative stress and cellular senescence

BackgroundHere, we assessed the role of the advanced glycation end-product (AGE) precursor methylglyoxal (MGO) and its non-crosslinking AGE MGO-derived hydroimidazolone (MGH)-1 in aortic stiffening and explored the potential of a glycation stress-lowering compound (Gly-Low) to mitigate these effects. MethodsYoung (3-6 month) C57BL/6 mice were supplemented with MGO (in water) and Gly-Low (in chow). Aortic stiffness was assessed in vivo via pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ex vivo through elastic modulus. Putative mechanisms underlying MGO- and MGH-1-induced aortic stiffening were explored using complementary experimental approaches in aortic tissue and cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Moreover, aortic stiffness was assessed in old (24 month) mice after consumption of Gly-Low-enriched chow. ResultsMGO-induced glycation stress increased PWV in young mice by 21% (P<0.05 vs. control), which was prevented with Gly-Low (P=0.93 vs. control). Ex vivo, MGO increased aortic elastic modulus 2-fold (P<0.05), superoxide production by [~]40% (P<0.05), and MGH-1 expression by 50% (P<0.05), which were all mitigated by Gly-Low. Chronic MGO exposure elevated biomarkers of cellular senescence in HAECs, comparable to a known senescence inducer Doxorubicin, an effect partially blocked by Gly-Low. Moreover, elevated aortic elastic modulus induced by Doxorubicin (P<0.05 vs. control) was prevented with Gly-Low (P=0.71 vs. control). Aortic RNA sequencing implicated preservation of endogenous cellular detoxification pathways with Gly-Low following exposure to MGH-1. Old mice supplemented with Gly-Low had lower PWV (P<0.05) relative to old control mice. ConclusionsMGO-induced glycation stress contributes to aortic stiffening and glycation stress lowering compounds hold promise for mitigating these effects. What Is New?This study provides the first comprehensive line of evidence that methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced glycation stress directly contributes to aortic stiffening and does so through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and cellular senescence. Using complementary in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro experimental models, we establish that MGO-mediated glycation stress independently induces aortic stiffening. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the glycation-lowering compound, Gly-Low, mitigates MGO-induced aortic stiffening by mitigating excessive oxidative stress and cellular senescence, and can lower aortic stiffness in old mice. Mechanistically, activation of the detoxification enzyme, glyoxalase-1 (Glo-1), is a novel pathway by which Gly-Low mediates its therapeutic effects on aortic stiffening. Lastly, we show that Gly-Low holds promise for lowering aortic stiffness in old age. What Is Relevant?Aortic stiffening is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and a significant predictor of CV-related morbidity and mortality. Yet, the underlying mechanisms driving this process remain incompletely understood. This study identifies MGO-derived glycation stress as a critical and modifiable factor contributing to aortic stiffening through pathways involving excessive oxidative stress and cellular senescence. By establishing the efficacy of Gly-Low in mitigating these effects, our findings underscore the importance of targeting glycation stress in the context of aging, and likely in other settings of glycation stress, to improve arterial health and reduce CVD risk. Clinical/Pathophysiological ImplicationsThese findings have significant clinical implications, as they demonstrate that glycation stress is a viable and modifiable therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of aortic stiffening. Gly-Low offers a promising therapeutic approach to ameliorate glycation stress- and age-related aortic stiffening, by directly targeting excess glycation stress, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence. Additionally, the involvement of the Glo-1 detoxification pathway suggests a specific molecular target for future interventions aimed at improving arterial health and mitigating the progression of CVD.

molecular biology↗