Activation of p38 and changes in mitochondria accompany autophagy to premature senescence-like phenotype switch upon chronic exposure to selenite in colon fibroblasts

• Selenite (Se) is produces longer-term cytotoxicity in normal colon fibroblasts.
• Se induces transient early autophagic response with later development of premature senescence phenotype.
• Activation of p38 and changes in mitochondria accompany switch between autophagy and senescence.

Effects of chronic exposure to supranutritional sodium selenite (Se) were investigated in colonic fibroblasts. Initially, Se did not produce any gross changes in exposed cells; however, basal levels of autophagy were transiently increased and p38 activity was stimulated. From the 3rd week onwards, Se decreased cell proliferation, with corrensponding changes in cell cycle distribution. Also, in exposed cells oxidative stress and DNA damage slowly but gradually increased along with decreasing mitochondrial function and upon continued elevated activity of p38 kinase. Towards the end of the experiment, premature senescence features became more prominent in treated cells. Pharmacological inhibition as well as gene knockdown of these processes confirmed the involvement of p38 in balancing autophagy and premature senescence in cells exposed to Se and suggests that this element may in a given time frame compromise selected cell populations in digestive system.