ANGPTL8 induces the aging of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

Abstract

Hematopoiesis depends on the sustained function of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). However, aging progressively impairs HSPC function, contributing to immunosenescence, hematologic malignancies, and degenerative disorders. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms underlying HSPC aging is essential for developing strategies to alleviate age-related dysfunction. Here, we identify angiopoietin-like 8 (ANGPTL8), a secreted glycoprotein known for its role in glucose and lipid metabolism, as a novel regulator of HSPC aging. Systemic ANGPTL8 knockout significantly attenuated senescence-associated phenotypes in multiple murine tissues. In vitro and in vivo analyses of proliferation, colony-forming capacity, mitochondrial membrane potential, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, myeloid skewing, and early hematopoietic regeneration further demonstrated that ANGPTL8 promotes HSPC aging. Mechanistically, ANGPTL8 deficiency activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, whereas a PI3K activator rescued the senescence effects induced by recombinant ANGPTL8 (rANGPTL8). Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) confirmed that rANGPTL8 directly interacts with the transmembrane receptor PirB. Recombinant PirB (rPirB) reduced the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, whereas PirB knockdown effectively blocked the inhibitory effect of rANGPTL8 on PI3K/AKT phosphorylation. Collectively, our findings suggest that ANGPTL8 drives HSPC aging primarily by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway via its receptor PirB, providing a new potential target to alleviate the aging of HSPCs.