SARS-COV-2 spike protein promotes RPE cell senescence via the ROS/P53/P21 pathway.

ABSTRACT: SARS-Cov-2 infection, which has caused the COVID-19 global pandemic, triggers cellular senescence. In this study, we investigate the role of the SARS-COV-2 spike protein (S-protein) in regulating the senescence of RPE cells. The results showed that administration or overexpression of S-protein in ARPE-19 decreased cell proliferation with cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. S-protein increased SA-β-Gal positive ARPE-19 cells with high expression of P53 and P21, senescence-associated inflammatory factors (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, ICAM, and VEGF), and ROS. Elimination of ROS by N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or knocking down p21 by siRNA diminished S-protein-induced ARPE cell senescence. Both administrated and overexpressed S-protein colocalize with the ER and upregulate ER-stress-associated BIP, CHO

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9898700 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature