TRPC5 channel modulates endothelial cells senescence

As a Ca2+-permeable cationic channel, canonical transient receptor potential 5 channel (TRPC5) has been known to be involved in various functions of cells. Although TRPC5 is abundantly expressed in vascular endothelium, it remains unknown whether TRPC5 plays a role in regulating endothelial senescence. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of TRPC5 in the senescence of mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs). Meanwhile, the regulatory role of TRPC5 in the endothelial dysfunction in aged mice was also studied. Results showed that the endothelium-dependent relaxations were significantly promoted but the endothelium-dependent contractions were markedly attenuated in aortic rings from aged mice with TRPC5 gene knocked out compared with those from aged C57BL/6J mice. Meanwhile, the nuclear telomerase activity and nitric oxide generation were notably enhanced but the reactive oxygen species production was significantly inhibited in aged mice or in hydrogen peroxide-induced senescent MAECs lacking the TRPC5 gene. In addition, by performing the senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining the oxidative stress-induced premature senescence was markedly depressed in MAECs with TRPC5 gene deficient. Expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and silent information regulator protein 1 (SIRT1) were significantly up-regulated but those of P53 and P21 were markedly down-regulated both in aged mice and in hydrogen peroxide-treated MAECs in the absence of the TRPC5 gene. These results of our study uncover novel functions of TRPC5 in regulating vascular aging.