Selenoproteins: The Antioxidant Fountain of Youth
In the quest for longevity and healthy aging, the role of antioxidants in combating age-related cell damage has been well established. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are notorious for causing oxidative stress in human cells, leading to lipid, protein, and DNA damage that can contribute to various age-related diseases, including cancer. Maintaining a balance between oxidants and antioxidants is crucial for overall health and well-being.
A recent study published in Blood by researchers from Osaka University and other Japanese institutions sheds light on the critical antioxidant role of selenoproteins in preserving the stemness of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and promoting B-lineage maturation. These molecules, of which humans have 25 different types, are essential enzymes that help convert harmful ROS, such as lipid peroxides, into a less harmful form. Accumulation of lipid peroxides can have detrimental effects on HSCs, a phenomenon often observed in aging-related diseases.
The research team, led by Yumi Aoyama and Hiromi Yamazaki, investigated the impact of disrupting selenoprotein production in a mouse model. They found that the knockout of a specific gene responsible for selenoprotein synthesis had negative effects on HSCs and B cell lineage immune cells, leading to a reduced ability for self-renewal and B lymphocytopenia. Interestingly, the disruption in selenoprotein synthesis also caused B progenitors to shift towards the myeloid cell family, mimicking aging-related changes typically seen in age-related diseases.
Further analysis revealed that the effects observed were driven by lipid peroxidation and were consistent with the expression of aging-related genes in these cell types. The study highlighted the lineage-specific effects of selenoproteins and emphasized their critical role in counteracting lipid peroxides that accumulate during the aging process.
In a feeding experiment on the knockout mice, the researchers discovered that dietary vitamin E could protect hematopoiesis and repair impaired B cell differentiation, further underscoring the importance of antioxidants in maintaining cellular health.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the antioxidant functions of selenoproteins and their impact on HSC self-renewal and immune cell maturation. By addressing issues related to selenoprotein production, researchers may have found a potential avenue for combating age-related diseases and promoting healthy aging.
For more information on this groundbreaking research, you can access the original article titled “Selenoprotein-Mediated Redox Regulation Shapes the Cell Fate of HSCs and Mature Lineages” in Blood (DOI: 10.1182/blood.2024025402).
Source:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-selenoproteins-play-key-role-combating.html
Provided by Osaka University.
