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Single-cell transcriptomic atlas of taste papilla aging
Wenwen Ren1, Weihao Li2,3, Xudong Cha1
1Department of Otolaryngology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), Shanghai, China.
Aging Cell
|August 21, 2024
Summary
Aging impairs taste perception by altering cellular communication and gene expression in taste papillae. This study identifies key molecular changes and cellular features associated with gustatory aging in mice.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sensory Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Taste dysfunction is a significant health concern, often linked to aging.
- The specific molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying age-related taste decline remain largely unknown.
- Understanding gustatory aging is crucial for addressing associated health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify molecular and cellular features of aged taste papillae.
- To investigate the role of specific genes, like Tmem59, in taste aging.
- To elucidate the impact of aging on intercellular communication within taste papillae.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of aged and young mouse taste papillae.
- Gene expression analysis to identify differentially expressed genes.
- Functional studies using Tmem59 knockout mice and database screening (GenAge, DisGeNET).
Main Results:
- Identified key differentially expressed genes, including upregulated mt-Nd4l and Xist, and downregulated Hsp90ab1 and Tmem59.
- Tmem59 deficiency impaired taste mature cell generation and reduced sensitivity to tastants.
- Aging enhanced intercellular communication between basal and mature taste cells via specific signaling pathways.
- Identified transcriptional hubs and revealed aging-associated changes in taste cell maturation.
Conclusions:
- Aging significantly alters the molecular and cellular landscape of taste papillae.
- Tmem59 plays a role in taste cell maturation and function.
- Intercellular communication dynamics shift with age, impacting taste papilla function.
- This study provides critical insights into the mechanisms of gustatory aging.
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