Copper ability to induce premature senescence in human fibroblasts

Age (Dordr). 2012 Aug;34(4):783-94. doi: 10.1007/s11357-011-9276-7. Epub 2011 Jun 22.

Abstract

Human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) exposed to subcytotoxic concentrations of oxidative or stressful agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, tert-butylhydroperoxide, or ethanol, undergo stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). This condition is characterized by the appearance of replicative senescence biomarkers such as irreversible growth arrest, increase in senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA β-gal) activity, altered cell morphology, and overexpression of several senescence-associated genes. Copper is an essential trace element known to accumulate with ageing and to be involved in the pathogenesis of some age-related disorders. Past studies using either yeast or human cellular models of ageing provided evidence in favor of the role of intracellular copper as a longevity modulator. In the present study, copper ability to cause the appearance of senescent features in HDFs was assessed. WI-38 fibroblasts exposed to a subcytotoxic concentration of copper sulfate presented inhibition of cell proliferation, cell enlargement, increased SA β-gal activity, and mRNA overexpression of several senescence-associated genes such as p21, apolipoprotein J (ApoJ), fibronectin, transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF β1), insulin growth factor binding protein 3, and heme oxygenase 1. Western blotting results confirmed enhanced intracellular p21, ApoJ, and TGF β1 in copper-treated cells. Thus, similar to other SIPS-inducing agents, HDF exposure to subcytotoxic concentration of copper results in premature senescence. Further studies will unravel molecular mechanisms and the biological meaning of copper-associated senescence and lead to a better understanding of copper-related disorder establishment and progression.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cells, Cultured / cytology
  • Cells, Cultured / drug effects
  • Cellular Senescence / drug effects*
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology
  • Clusterin / genetics
  • Clusterin / metabolism*
  • Copper Sulfate / pharmacology*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Reference Values
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Signal Transduction
  • beta-Galactosidase / drug effects
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Clusterin
  • RNA, Messenger
  • beta-Galactosidase
  • Copper Sulfate