Comparative single-cell transcriptomic analysis across tissues of aging primates reveals specific autologous activation of ZNF281 to mitigate oxidative stress in cornea.
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress accelerate cellular aging, but their impact on different tissues varies. The cornea, known for its robust antioxidant defense systems, is relatively resistant to age-related diseases like cancer. However, the precise mechanisms by which the cornea maintains ROS homeostasis during aging remain unclear. Through comparative single-cell transcriptomic analysis of the cornea and other tissues in young and old nonhuman primates, we identified that a ZNF281 coding transcriptomic program is specifically activated in cornea during aging. Further investigation revealed that ZNF281 forms a positive feedback loop with FOXO3 to sense elevated levels of ROS and mitigate their effects potentially by regulating the mitochondrial respiratory chain and superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression. Importantly, we observed that overexpression of ZNF281 in MSCs prevented cellular senescence. In summary, these findings open up possibilities for understanding tissue-specific aging and developing new therapies targeting ROS damage.
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Research summary
The paper investigates the specific mechanisms by which the cornea mitigates oxidative stress during aging, focusing on the activation of ZNF281 and its role in cellular senescence. This addresses a root cause of aging by exploring how certain tissues maintain resilience against oxidative damage, which is a significant aspect of longevity research. However, while the findings are solid and contribute to the understanding of tissue-specific aging, they do not present groundbreaking insights that would significantly advance the field, hence the moderate impact score.
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