RNA-seq analysis of carbon framework-mediated metabolic reprogramming in senescent cells: effects of C3N nanosheets and photoactivation

The study compares three experimental conditions: senescence alone (S), senescence treated with C3N QDs (S+C), and senescence treated with C3N QDs followed by irradiation (S+C+I). Transcriptomic profiling revealed that the combined treatment (S+C+I) significantly reprogrammed gene expression patterns associated with aging and inflammation.

Specifically, the S+C+I group showed a notable upregulation of genes such as MAPT, FOXO4, and PTEN, while markedly downregulating key senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors including IL6, CXCL8, SERPINE1, and TERT compared to the S group. These data provide comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms by which C3N QDs-mediated photoactivation alleviates cellular senescence and suppresses pro-inflammatory pathways.