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Purpose <p>This study aims to investigate the role of AU-rich element RNA-binding factor 1 (AUF1) in regulating inflammatory responses and senescence processes within auditory hair cells.</p> Methods <p>RNA sequencing was employed to assess transcriptome-wide expression levels and alternative splicing patterns in HEI-OC1 cells treated with AUF1 siRNA (siAUF1) compared to control cells. Three biological replicates per group were prepared, and raw FASTQ reads were aligned to the Mus musculus reference genome (GRCm39/mm39) using the splice-aware STAR aligner. Comprehensive integration was conducted with previously published transcriptomic data and AUF1-RNA interactome datasets. Western blotting was employed to assess RBMS3 protein levels after AUF1 knockdown. The effect of AUF1 on cellular senescence was validated using senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and was further corroborated by RT-qPCR quantification of canonical senescence markers (p16, p21, Lamin B1) together with ELISA-based measurement of the core SASP cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β. AUF1-regulated alternative splicing events on FASTK, MAP4 and HNRNPDL were validated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the AUF1–RBMS3 regulatory axis was interrogated by combined siRNA knockdown rescue experiments.</p> Results <p>Knockdown of AUF1 using siRNA induced apoptosis in HEI-OC1 cells. RNA sequencing revealed that AUF1 depletion extensively modulated the expression of numerous genes. The downregulated genes following AUF1 depletion via siRNA were significantly overrepresented in biological pathways governing immune system functions and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Furthermore, AUF1 was found to modulate the alternative splicing patterns of specific genes, including FASTK, MAP4, and hnRNP DL, and these splicing events were verified by RT-PCR. Additionally, published transcriptomic datasets from aged mice showed elevated expression of AUF1 and immune response-related genes. Furthermore, RBMS3 was identified as a gene associated with AUF1 knockdown, potentially contributing to AUF1-dependent regulation of apoptosis, and concurrent silencing of RBMS3 partially attenuated AUF1-knockdown-induced apoptosis. AUF1 silencing also blunted the D-galactose-induced upregulation of p16/p21 transcripts and the secretion of IL-6/IL-1β, supporting an AUF1-dependent contribution to senescence in auditory hair cells.</p> Conclusion <p>AUF1 regulates immune response, apoptosis, alternative splicing, and the aging process in auditory hair cells.</p>

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AUF1 modulates cellular senescence in auditory hair cells by regulating the transcription and alternative splicing of immune response genes

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月26日

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  • Lihua Li,
  • Yun Xiao,
  • Xingrui Liu,
  • Jinying He,
  • Wenjing Wu,
  • Dian Cai,
  • Xubo Chen

摘要

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of AU-rich element RNA-binding factor 1 (AUF1) in regulating inflammatory responses and senescence processes within auditory hair cells.

Methods

RNA sequencing was employed to assess transcriptome-wide expression levels and alternative splicing patterns in HEI-OC1 cells treated with AUF1 siRNA (siAUF1) compared to control cells. Three biological replicates per group were prepared, and raw FASTQ reads were aligned to the Mus musculus reference genome (GRCm39/mm39) using the splice-aware STAR aligner. Comprehensive integration was conducted with previously published transcriptomic data and AUF1-RNA interactome datasets. Western blotting was employed to assess RBMS3 protein levels after AUF1 knockdown. The effect of AUF1 on cellular senescence was validated using senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and was further corroborated by RT-qPCR quantification of canonical senescence markers (p16, p21, Lamin B1) together with ELISA-based measurement of the core SASP cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β. AUF1-regulated alternative splicing events on FASTK, MAP4 and HNRNPDL were validated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the AUF1–RBMS3 regulatory axis was interrogated by combined siRNA knockdown rescue experiments.

Results

Knockdown of AUF1 using siRNA induced apoptosis in HEI-OC1 cells. RNA sequencing revealed that AUF1 depletion extensively modulated the expression of numerous genes. The downregulated genes following AUF1 depletion via siRNA were significantly overrepresented in biological pathways governing immune system functions and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Furthermore, AUF1 was found to modulate the alternative splicing patterns of specific genes, including FASTK, MAP4, and hnRNP DL, and these splicing events were verified by RT-PCR. Additionally, published transcriptomic datasets from aged mice showed elevated expression of AUF1 and immune response-related genes. Furthermore, RBMS3 was identified as a gene associated with AUF1 knockdown, potentially contributing to AUF1-dependent regulation of apoptosis, and concurrent silencing of RBMS3 partially attenuated AUF1-knockdown-induced apoptosis. AUF1 silencing also blunted the D-galactose-induced upregulation of p16/p21 transcripts and the secretion of IL-6/IL-1β, supporting an AUF1-dependent contribution to senescence in auditory hair cells.

Conclusion

AUF1 regulates immune response, apoptosis, alternative splicing, and the aging process in auditory hair cells.