Volume 61, Issue 12 e202115764
Research Article

Spatially Confined Intervention of Cellular Senescence by a Lysosomal Metabolism Targeting Molecular Prodrug for Broad-Spectrum Senotherapy

Yinghao Xia

Yinghao Xia

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Jili Li

Jili Li

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Linlin Wang

Linlin Wang

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

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Xiyuan Luo

Xiyuan Luo

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

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Yuqi Xie

Yuqi Xie

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

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Prof. Yanlan Liu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Yanlan Liu

Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082 China

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First published: 17 January 2022
Citations: 15

Graphical Abstract

A spatially confined prodrug activation strategy is reported as a new paradigm of senotherapy. The prodrug is designed to target the defective lysosome metabolism, a unique yet ubiquitous event during cellular senescence, instead of dynamically changing and highly heterogeneous senescence-related signaling pathways employed in conventional methods, thereby fulfilling robust specificity and broad-spectrum activity towards senescent cells.

Abstract

Specific intervention of senescent cells (SnCs) is emerging as a powerful means to counteract aging and age-related diseases. Canonical methods are generally designed to target SnC-associated signaling pathways, which are however dynamically changing and highly heterogeneous in SnCs, significantly limiting the effectiveness. Here, we present a tailor-made molecular prodrug targeting lysosome dysfunction, a unique feature shared by virtually all types of SnCs. The prodrug comprises three modules all targeting the altered lysosomal programs in SnCs, namely, a recognizing unit towards the elevated lysosome content, a linker cleavable by the activated lysosomal enzyme, and a lysosomotropic agent targeting the increased lysosomal membrane sensitivity. This spatially confined design enables killing broad-spectrum SnCs, with high specificity over non-SnCs. Along with in vivo benefits, this work offers a way to significantly expand the applicability of senotherapy in a wide range of diseases.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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