Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular Senescence

This study investigates the interplay between cellular senescence and inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We employed RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression changes in HUVECs subjected to replicative- or radiation-stress-induced senescence, and we compared these profi...

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Main Authors: Barbora Belakova, José Basílio, Manuel Campos-Medina, Anna F. P. Sommer, Adrianna Gielecińska, Ulrike Resch, Johannes A. Schmid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/11/806
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author Barbora Belakova
José Basílio
Manuel Campos-Medina
Anna F. P. Sommer
Adrianna Gielecińska
Ulrike Resch
Johannes A. Schmid
author_facet Barbora Belakova
José Basílio
Manuel Campos-Medina
Anna F. P. Sommer
Adrianna Gielecińska
Ulrike Resch
Johannes A. Schmid
author_sort Barbora Belakova
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the interplay between cellular senescence and inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We employed RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression changes in HUVECs subjected to replicative- or radiation-stress-induced senescence, and we compared these profiles with those of cells under acute or chronic TNFα-mediated inflammation. Our findings reveal that both senescence types exhibited significant upregulation of genes associated with epithelial- (or endothelial) mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammatory pathways, indicating a shared molecular response. Notably, chronic inflammation led to a pronounced EMT signature, while acute inflammation primarily activated classical inflammatory responses. Experimental validation confirmed reduced proliferation and increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in senescent and chronically inflamed cells and substantiated the upregulation of EMT marker genes. Additionally, we observed impaired wound healing capacity in senescent and chronically inflamed cells, highlighting the functional consequences of these cellular states. Our study underscores the critical role of inflammation in exacerbating senescence-related changes, contributing to the understanding of age-related cardiovascular pathologies. These insights may inform future therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of aging and inflammation on endothelial function and cardiovascular health.
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spelling doaj-art-60d57a1fe12e444cb5b52c2d63df39e32025-08-20T03:46:48ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-05-01141180610.3390/cells14110806Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular SenescenceBarbora Belakova0José Basílio1Manuel Campos-Medina2Anna F. P. Sommer3Adrianna Gielecińska4Ulrike Resch5Johannes A. Schmid6Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaInstitute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaInstitute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaInstitute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, PolandInstitute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaInstitute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaThis study investigates the interplay between cellular senescence and inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We employed RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression changes in HUVECs subjected to replicative- or radiation-stress-induced senescence, and we compared these profiles with those of cells under acute or chronic TNFα-mediated inflammation. Our findings reveal that both senescence types exhibited significant upregulation of genes associated with epithelial- (or endothelial) mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammatory pathways, indicating a shared molecular response. Notably, chronic inflammation led to a pronounced EMT signature, while acute inflammation primarily activated classical inflammatory responses. Experimental validation confirmed reduced proliferation and increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in senescent and chronically inflamed cells and substantiated the upregulation of EMT marker genes. Additionally, we observed impaired wound healing capacity in senescent and chronically inflamed cells, highlighting the functional consequences of these cellular states. Our study underscores the critical role of inflammation in exacerbating senescence-related changes, contributing to the understanding of age-related cardiovascular pathologies. These insights may inform future therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of aging and inflammation on endothelial function and cardiovascular health.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/11/806senescenceacute inflammationchronic inflammationtranscriptomicsgene set enrichment analysismolecular signatures
spellingShingle Barbora Belakova
José Basílio
Manuel Campos-Medina
Anna F. P. Sommer
Adrianna Gielecińska
Ulrike Resch
Johannes A. Schmid
Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular Senescence
Cells
senescence
acute inflammation
chronic inflammation
transcriptomics
gene set enrichment analysis
molecular signatures
title Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular Senescence
title_full Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular Senescence
title_fullStr Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular Senescence
title_full_unstemmed Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular Senescence
title_short Short- and Long-Term Endothelial Inflammation Have Distinct Effects and Overlap with Signatures of Cellular Senescence
title_sort short and long term endothelial inflammation have distinct effects and overlap with signatures of cellular senescence
topic senescence
acute inflammation
chronic inflammation
transcriptomics
gene set enrichment analysis
molecular signatures
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/11/806
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