Background:

Stem cell senescence and depletion are major causes of organismal aging and aging-related diseases. The NAD–SIRT1–PARP1 axis has garnered remarkable interest owing to its significant role in regulating stem cell senescence and organismal aging. Event though our recent study showes that PBX1 overexpression attenuates hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cell (HF-MSC) senescence and apoptosis by regulating ROS-mediated DNA damage via downregulation of PARP1 expression, suggesting PARP1 downregulation is a common manifestation of the roles of both PBX1 and SIRT1 in the attenuation of HF-MSC senescence, and implying a potential link between PBX1 and SIRT1 via PARP1.

Methods:

HF-MSCs overexpressing PBX1, overexpressing both PBX1 and PARP1, downregulating SIRT1, and overexpressing PBX1 and downregulating SIRT1 were generated, and biomarkers related to cell senescence, apoptosis, DNA damage, and repair were detected at the cellular and protein levels.

Results:

(1) PBX1 overexpression alleviated HF-MSC senescence and apoptosis accompanied by upregulation of SIRT1 expression, downregulation of PARP1 expression, and increased intracellular NAD and ATP levels. (2) SIRT1 knockdown or PARP1 overexpression enhanced cellular senescence and apoptosis, accompanied by increased ROS accumulation and DNA damage aggravation and decreased intracellular NAD and ATP levels. (3) PBX1 overexpression rescued HF-MSC senescence and apoptosis induced by SIRT1 knockdown or PARP1 overexpression. (4) Dual luciferase reporter showed PBX1 enhanced SIRT1 expression by activating SIRT1 promoter.

Conclusions:

Our results reveal that a positive interaction feedback loop exists between PBX1 and SIRT1, that PBX1 is the upstream of SIRT1. To the best of our knowledge we are the first to report that there is a PBX1-SIRT1-PARP1 axis and this axis plays a critical role in alleviation of HF-MSC senescence and apoptosis. The results provide a new perspective on the mechanism of stem cell senescence and age-related disease prevention and treatment.