The mitomiR/Bcl-2 axis affects mitochondrial function and autophagic vacuole formation in senescent endothelial cells.

ABSTRACT: During senescence, cells undergo distinctive biochemical and morphological changes and become dysfunctional. MiRNAs are involved in the senescence process and specific miRNAs can localize to mitochondria (mitomiRs). We hypothesized that part of the typical alterations of senescence may depends on mitomiRs deregulation. Therefore, we thoroughly explored the phenotype of human endothelial cells undergoing replicative senescence (sHUVECs) and observed elongated/branched mitochondria, accumulation of autophagic vacuoles (AVs), increased ROS and IL-1β production and reduced expression of Bcl-2 compared to younger cells (yHUVECs). Despite these pro-apoptotic features, sHUVECs are more resistant to serum deprivation, conceivably due to development of pro-survival strategies such as upregulation o

SUBMITTER: Giuliani A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6224225 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature