Endogenous Transmembrane TNF-Alpha Protects Against Premature Senescence in Endothelial Colony Forming Cells

Rationale: Transmembrane tumor necrosis factor-alpha (tmTNF-alpha) is the prime ligand for TNF receptor 2, which has been shown to mediate angiogenic and blood vessel repair activities in mice. We have previously reported that the angiogenic potential of highly proliferative endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) can be explained by the absence of senescent cells, which in mature endothelial cells occupy >30% of the population, and that exposure to a chronic inflammatory environment induced premature, telomere-independent senescence in ECFCs. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the role of tmTNF-alpha in the proliferation of ECFCs. Methods and Results: Here, we show that tmTNF-alpha expression on ECFCs selects for higher proliferative potential and when removed from the cell surface promotes ECFC senescence. Moreover, the induction of premature senescence by chronic inflammatory conditions is blocked by inhibition of tmTNF-alpha cleavage. Indeed, the mechanism of chronic inflammation-induced premature senescence involves an abrogation of tmTNF/TNF receptor 2 signaling. This process is mediated by activation of the tmTNF cleavage metalloprotease TNF-alpha-converting enzyme via p38 MAP kinase activation and its concurrent export to the cell surface by means of increased iRhom2 expression. Conclusions: Thus, we conclude that tmTNF-alpha on the surface of highly proliferative ECFCs plays an important role in the regulation of their proliferative capacity.