How imported cystine modulates vascular growth and repair
Vascular lining is made up of endothelial cells, that play an important role in issue regeneration, health, and longevity.
The researchers identified a nuclear metabolic pathway—triggered before cell division—that burns cystine to regulate the epigenome, unlock chromatin, and prime endothelial gene programs.
Mechanistically, the authors show that endothelial cells before proliferation, upregulate the SLC7A11 transporter to import cystine, which is oxidatively catabolized by cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) in the nucleus. This generates acetyl units via pyruvate dehydrogenase, driving site-specific histone H3 acetylation and chromatin remodeling that sustain endothelial transcription and proliferation.
Loss of SLC7A11 or CSE or both results in endothelial dysfunction.
This nutrient-responsive epigenetic circuit wanes with age, yet dietary cystine revives endothelial transcription and restores vessel growth in injury, disease, and aging.
https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(25)00437-1
