Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Promotes Kidney Aging through Inducing Mitochondrial Calcium-Mediated Renal Tubular Cell Senescence

Kidney is a vital organ responsible for homeostasis in the body. To retard kidney aging is of great importance for maintaining body health. Whereas the therapeutic strategies targeting against kidney aging are not elucidated. Recent studies show mitochondrial dysfunction is critical for renal tubular cell senescence and kidney aging, however, the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney aging have not been demonstrated. Herein, we found calcium overload, and the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) was induced in renal tubular cells and aged kidney. To activate MCU not only triggered mitochondrial calcium overload, but also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular senescence and age-related kidney fibrosis. Inversely, to block MCU or chelate calcium diminished ROS generation, restored mitochondrial homeostasis, and retarded cell senescence and protected against kidney aging. These results demonstrate MCU plays a key role in promote renal tubular cell senescence, which provides a new insight on the therapeutic strategy for fighting against kidney aging.