Senotherapeutic potential against xeroderma pigmentosum

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an inherited photoaging syndrome caused by mutations in genes involved in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. XP patients exhibit hypersensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to accelerated skin aging and requiring lifelong sun avoidance. In this study, we aimed to investigate UV-induced cellular senescence in XP melanocytes and explore potential senotherapeutic strategies.

Melanocytes differentiated from iPSCs derived from an XP-A patient and a healthy individual, respectively, were used to induce senescence. Senescence was assessed by SA-β-gal and γH2AX staining. The drug screening tested a panel of 12 senolytic agents and 15 senomorphic agents for their ability to target senescent XP-iMCs. The effects of these agents were evaluated through cell viability assays and SPiDER-βGal staining followed by flow cytometry. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze transcriptional changes induced by senomorphic treatments.

We demonstrate that UV-induced DNA damage triggers cellular senescence and up-regulates senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) genes in melanocytes derived from an XP patient. The drug screening identified JAK inhibitors and curcuminoids as promising senomorphic agents. In addition, two classes of senolytic agents, BCL-2-like protein inhibitors and HSP90 inhibitors, effectively eliminate senescent melanocytes. Further analysis demonstrates that senomorphic treatment effectively counteracts senescence and reduces SASP gene expression in XP-derived melanocytes. Moreover, genes in senescence-related pathways, including the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, JAK/STAT, and PI3K/AKT pathways, which are activated in senescent cells, are down-regulated by senomorphic treatment.

This study highlights a potential senotherapeutic strategy for XP, which may help alleviate photoaging symptoms in XP patients.