Metabolomics Dysfunction in Replicative Senescence of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Regulated by AMPK Signaling Pathway

Periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLSCs) are a promising cell resource for stem cell-based regenerative medicine in dentistry, but they inevitably acquire a senescent phenotype after prolonged in vitro expansion. The key regulators of PDLSCs during replicative senescence are remain unclear. Here, we sought to elucidate the role of metabolomic changes in determining cellular senescence of PDLSCs. PDLSCs were cultured to passages 4, 10 and 20. The senescent phenotypes of PDLSCs were detected, and metabolomics analysis was performed. We found that PDLSCs manifested senescence phenotype during passaging. Metabolomics analysis showed that the metabolism of replicative senescence in PDLSCs varied significantly. The AMPK signaling pathway was closely related to AMP levels. The AMP:ATP ratio increased in senescent PDLSCs; however, the levels of p-AMPK, FOXO1 and FOXO3a decreased with senescence. We treated PDLSCs with an activator of the AMPK pathway (AICAR), and observed that the phosphorylated AMPK level at P20 PDLSCs was partially restored. These data delineate that the metabolic process of PDLSCs is active in the early stage of senescence, and attenuated in the later stages of senescence; however, the sensitivity of AMPK phosphorylation sites is impaired, causing senescent PDLSCs to fail to respond to changes in energy metabolism.