Wnt/β-catenin signaling induces the aging of mesenchymal stem cells through promoting the ROS production

Recent studies have demonstrated that the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling plays an important role in stem cell aging. However, the mechanisms of cell senescence induced by Wnt/beta-catenin signaling are still poorly understood. Our preliminary study has indicated that activated Wnt/beta-catenin signaling can induce MSC aging. In this study, we reported that the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling was a potent activator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in MSCs. After scavenging ROS with N-acetylcysteine, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling-induced MSC aging was significantly attenuated and the DNA damage and the expression of p16(INK4A), p53, and p21 were reduced in MSCs. These results indicated that the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling could induce MSC aging through promoting the intracellular production of ROS, and ROS may be the main mediators of MSC aging induced by excessive activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.