Removal of senescent cells reduces the viral load and attenuates pulmonary and systemic inflammation in SARS-CoV-2-infected, aged hamsters

ABSTRACT: Older age is one of the strongest risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Here, we sought to determine whether age-associated cellular senescence contributes to the severity of COVID-19 by studying the well-established golden hamster model of SARS-CoV-2-driven lung disease. We found that aged hamsters (22 months of age) accumulate senescent cells in the lungs and that the senolytic drug ABT-263, a B cell lymphoma-2 family inhibitor, depletes these cells at baseline and during a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Relative to young hamsters (2 months of age), aged hamsters had a greater viral load during the acute phase of infection and displayed higher levels of sequelae during the post-acute phase. Interestingly, early treatment with ABT-263 was associated with a significantly lower pulmonary viral load, an effect associated with lower expression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and an amelioration of COVID-19-like lung disease in aged (but not young) animals. ABT-263 treatment of aged animals was also associated with lower pulmonary and systemic levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors. Furthermore, early removal of senescent cells reduced the longer-term pulmonary inflammation. These data demonstrate the causative role of age-associated pre-existing senescent cells on the pathologic severity of experimental COVID-19. As several senolytics have recently moved into early-stage clinical trials, our present findings have clear clinical relevance.

INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive

ORGANISM(S): Mesocricetus Auratus (golden Hamster)

TISSUE(S): Lung

DISEASE(S): Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

SUBMITTER: SALIOU Jean-Michel  

LAB HEAD: Jean-michel Saliou

PROVIDER: PXD041973 | Pride | 2023-07-03

REPOSITORIES: pride