Fibroblasts from long-lived rodent species exclude cadmium

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Comparative Physiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Fibroblast cell lines from long-lived species exhibit resistance to cellular stressors like cadmium (Cd).
• Understanding the mechanisms behind this resistance is crucial for aging and toxicology research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying cadmium resistance in fibroblasts from rodents of varying lifespans.
• To determine if differences in metal uptake, export, or baseline concentrations correlate with longevity.

Main Methods:

• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was used to quantify cadmium uptake rates in primary fibroblasts from 15 rodent species.
• Zinc export and baseline concentrations of redox-active metals (iron, copper) were also measured.

Main Results:

• Fibroblasts from long-lived rodent species demonstrated significantly slower rates of cadmium uptake compared to short-lived species.
• Short-lived species exported more zinc following cadmium exposure than long-lived species.
• Long-lived species exhibited lower baseline levels of iron and copper.

Conclusions:

• Rodent longevity is associated with cellular adaptations in metal homeostasis, including reduced cadmium uptake and altered zinc and redox-active metal handling.
• These adjustments in metal metabolism likely contribute to mitigating the toxic effects of heavy metals accumulated over longer lifespans.
• Evolutionary increases in lifespan in rodents appear linked to modifications in cellular heavy metal resistance mechanisms.