SUMOylation of HSPA9 impairs therapeutic efficacy by promoting damaged mitochondria transfer in intervertebral disc degeneration
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ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial transfer serves as a crucial mechanism for intercellular communication. The transfer of dysfunctional mitochondria often exacerbates recipient cell impairment, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that senescent stem cells promote inflammation in nucleus pulposus cells by transferring damaged mitochondria via activation of the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway, thereby aggravating intervertebral disc degeneration. Specifically, SUMO3 modification at position 612 of HSPA9 suppresses its ubiquitination-mediated degradation and enhances its binding to damaged mitochondria. Furthermore, we reveal that HSPA9-mediated transfer of dysfunctional mitochondria cooperates with mitophagy to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis in stem cells. Knockdown of HSPA9 and enhancement of mitophagy in senescent stem cells resulted in microvesicles that were independent of the parental cell’s functional state, ultimately promoting therapeutic outcomes against intervertebral disc degeneration.
ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens
SUBMITTER:
Cao Yang
PROVIDER: PXD072918 | iProX | Sat Jan 10 00:00:00 GMT 2026
REPOSITORIES: iProX
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