Supramolecular Senolytics via Intracellular Oligomerization of Peptides in Response to Elevated Reactive Oxygen Species Levels in Aging Cells
- Sangpil KimSangpil KimDepartment of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Sangpil Kim
- ,
- Jae-Byoung ChaeJae-Byoung ChaeDepartment of Ophthalmology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaMore by Jae-Byoung Chae
- ,
- Dohyun KimDohyun KimDepartment of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Dohyun Kim
- ,
- Chul-Woo ParkChul-Woo ParkDepartment of Ophthalmology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaMore by Chul-Woo Park
- ,
- Youjung SimYoujung SimDepartment of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Youjung Sim
- ,
- Hyungwoo LeeHyungwoo LeeDepartment of Ophthalmology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaMore by Hyungwoo Lee
- ,
- Gaeun ParkGaeun ParkDepartment of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Gaeun Park
- ,
- Jaeeun LeeJaeeun LeeDepartment of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Jaeeun Lee
- ,
- Seongho HongSeongho HongDepartment of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Seongho Hong
- ,
- Batakrishna JanaBatakrishna JanaDepartment of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Batakrishna Jana
- ,
- Chaekyu Kim
- ,
- Hyewon Chung*Hyewon Chung*Email: [email protected]Department of Ophthalmology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Republic of KoreaMore by Hyewon Chung
- , and
- Ja-Hyoung Ryu*Ja-Hyoung Ryu*Email: [email protected]Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of KoreaMore by Ja-Hyoung Ryu
Abstract
Senolytics, which eliminate senescent cells from tissues, represent an emerging therapeutic strategy for various age-related diseases. Most senolytics target antiapoptotic proteins, which are overexpressed in senescent cells, limiting specificity and inducing severe side effects. To overcome these limitations, we constructed self-assembling senolytics targeting senescent cells with an intracellular oligomerization system. Intracellular aryl-dithiol-containing peptide oligomerization occurred only inside the mitochondria of senescent cells due to selective localization of the peptides by RGD-mediated cellular uptake into integrin αvβ3-overexpressed senescent cells and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, which can be used as a chemical fuel for disulfide formation. This oligomerization results in an artificial protein-like nanoassembly with a stable α-helix secondary structure, which can disrupt the mitochondrial membrane via multivalent interactions because the mitochondrial membrane of senescent cells has weaker integrity than that of normal cells. These three specificities (integrin αvβ3, high ROS, and weak mitochondrial membrane integrity) of senescent cells work in combination; therefore, this intramitochondrial oligomerization system can selectively induce apoptosis of senescent cells without side effects on normal cells. Significant reductions in key senescence markers and amelioration of retinal degeneration were observed after elimination of the senescent retinal pigment epithelium by this peptide senolytic in an age-related macular degeneration mouse model and in aged mice, and this effect was accompanied by improved visual function. This system provides a strategy for the treatment of age-related diseases using supramolecular senolytics.
Cited By
This article has not yet been cited by other publications.