Exosome Release Delays Senescence by Disposing of Obsolete Biomolecules

Accumulation of obsolete biomolecules can accelerate cell senescence and organism aging. The two efficient intracellular systems, namely the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the autophagy-lysosome system, play important roles in dealing with cellular wastes. However, how multicellular organisms orchestrate the processing of obsolete molecules and delay aging remains unclear. Herein, it is shown that prevention of exosome release by GW4869 or Rab27a accelerated senescence in various cells and mice, while stimulating exosome release by nutrient restriction delays aging. Interestingly, exosomes isolate from serum-deprived cells or diet-restricted human plasma, enriched with garbage biomolecules, including misfolded proteins, oxidized lipids, and proteins. These cellular wastes can be englobed by macrophages, eventually, for disintegration in vivo. Inhibition of nutrient-sensing mTORC1 signaling increases exosome release and delays senescence, while constitutive activation of mTORC1 reduces exosome secretion and exacerbates senescence in vitro and in mice. Notably, inhibition of exosome release attenuates nutrient restriction- or rapamycin-delayed senescence, supporting a key role for exosome secretion in this process. This study reveals a potential mechanism by which stimulated exosome release delays aging in multicellular organisms, by orchestrating the harmful biomolecules disposal via exosomes and macrophages.