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The Journal of Biological Chemistry Mar 2024One of the major challenges that remain in the fields of aging and lifespan determination concerns the precise roles that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play in these... (Review)
Review
One of the major challenges that remain in the fields of aging and lifespan determination concerns the precise roles that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play in these processes. ROS, including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are constantly generated as byproducts of aerobic metabolism, as well as in response to endogenous and exogenous cues. While ROS accumulation and oxidative damage were long considered to constitute some of the main causes of age-associated decline, more recent studies reveal a signaling role in the aging process. In fact, accumulation of ROS, in a spatiotemporal manner, can trigger beneficial cellular responses that promote longevity and healthy aging. In this review, we discuss the importance of timing and compartmentalization of external and internal ROS perturbations in organismal lifespan and the role of redox regulated pathways.
Topics: Longevity; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Aging; Humans; Animals
PubMed: 38367668
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105761 -
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development Sep 2023Ageing is a continuous process in life featuring progressive damage accumulation that leads to physiological decline, functional deterioration and ultimately death of an... (Review)
Review
Ageing is a continuous process in life featuring progressive damage accumulation that leads to physiological decline, functional deterioration and ultimately death of an organism. Based on the relatively close anatomical and physiological similarity to humans, the mouse has been proven as a valuable model organism in ageing research over the last decades. In this review, we survey methods and tools currently in use to assess ageing phenotypes in mice. We summarize a range of ageing-associated alterations detectable at two major levels of analysis: (1) physiology and pathophysiology and (2) molecular biomarkers. Age-sensitive phenotypes provided in this article may serve to inform future studies targeting various aspects of organismal ageing in mice. In addition, we discuss conceptual and technical challenges faced by previous ageing studies in mice and, where possible, provide recommendations on how to resolve some of these issues.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Aging; Biomarkers; Phenotype
PubMed: 37454704
DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111852 -
Integrative Psychological & Behavioral... Jun 2024Cognition is a mental process that provides the ability to think, know, and learn. Though cognitive skills are necessary to do daily tasks and activities, cognitive... (Review)
Review
Cognition is a mental process that provides the ability to think, know, and learn. Though cognitive skills are necessary to do daily tasks and activities, cognitive aging causes changes in various cognitive functions. Cognitive abilities that are preserved and strengthened by experience can be kept as a reserve and utilized when necessary. The concept of reserving cognition was found when people with Alzheimer's disease had differences in clinical manifestations and cognitive functions. The cognitive reserve builds resilience against cognitive decline and improves the quality of life. Also, several lines of studies have found that the plasticity between neurons has a significant impact on cognitive reserve and acts against cognitive decline. To extend the findings, the present study provides a comprehensive understanding of cognitive reserve and the variables that are involved in maintaining cognition. The study also considers reading as one of the cognitive proxies that develops and maintains cognitive reserve.
Topics: Humans; Cognitive Reserve; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognitive Aging; Reading; Aging; Alzheimer Disease
PubMed: 38279076
DOI: 10.1007/s12124-024-09821-3 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024The intention of this Special Issue is to elucidate the role of apoptosis and cellular senescence in different pathological processes, such as cancer and aging [...].
The intention of this Special Issue is to elucidate the role of apoptosis and cellular senescence in different pathological processes, such as cancer and aging [...].
Topics: Humans; Aging; Apoptosis; Cellular Senescence; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38396780
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042103 -
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development Sep 2023The world population is aging rapidly, and by some estimates, the number of people older than 60 will double in the next 30 years. With the increase in life expectancy,... (Review)
Review
The world population is aging rapidly, and by some estimates, the number of people older than 60 will double in the next 30 years. With the increase in life expectancy, adverse effects of environmental exposures start playing a more prominent role in human health. Air pollution is now widely considered the most detrimental of all environmental risk factors, with some studies estimating that almost 20% of all deaths globally could be attributed to poor air quality. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and will continue to account for the most significant percentage of non-communicable disease burden. Cardiovascular aging with defined pathomechanisms is a major trigger of cardiovascular disease in old age. Effects of environmental risk factors on cardiovascular aging should be considered in order to increase the health span and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in older populations. In this review, we explore the effects of air pollution on cardiovascular aging, from the molecular mechanisms to cardiovascular manifestations of aging and, finally, the age-related cardiovascular outcomes. We also explore the distinction between the effects of air pollution on healthy aging and disease progression. Future efforts should focus on extending the health span rather than the lifespan.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular System; Aging; Longevity; Air Pollution
PubMed: 37611809
DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111857 -
Ageing Research Reviews Nov 2023Aging is a complex natural process that leads to a decline in physiological functions, which is visible in signs such as hair graying, thinning, and loss. Although hair... (Review)
Review
Aging is a complex natural process that leads to a decline in physiological functions, which is visible in signs such as hair graying, thinning, and loss. Although hair graying is characterized by a loss of pigment in the hair shaft, the underlying mechanism of age-associated hair graying is not fully understood. Hair graying and loss can have a significant impact on an individual's self-esteem and self-confidence, potentially leading to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Omics technologies, which have applications beyond clinical medicine, have led to the discovery of candidate hair biomarkers and may provide insight into the complex biology of hair aging and identify targets for effective therapies. This review provides an up-to-date overview of recent omics discoveries, including age-associated alterations of proteins and metabolites in the hair shaft and follicle, and highlights the significance of hair aging and graying biomarker discoveries. The decline in hair follicle stem cell activity with aging decreased the regeneration capacity of hair follicles. Cellular senescence, oxidative damage and altered extracellular matrix of hair follicle constituents characterized hair follicle and hair shaft aging and graying. The review attempts to correlate the impact of endogenous and exogenous factors on hair aging. We close by discussing the main challenges and limitations of the field, defining major open questions and offering an outlook for future research.
Topics: Humans; Hair Color; Aging; Hair; Biomarkers; Biology
PubMed: 37634889
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102041 -
The International Journal of... Dec 2023Ageing decreases the function of the immune system and increases susceptibility to some chronic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. Senescence cells, which produce... (Review)
Review
Ageing decreases the function of the immune system and increases susceptibility to some chronic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. Senescence cells, which produce senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs), can activate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Macrophages are among the most abundant innate immune cell types in senescent microenvironments. Senescence-associated macrophages, recruited by SASPs, play a vital role in establishing the essential microenvironments for maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, it's important to note that these senescence-associated macrophages can also influence senescent processes, either by enhancing or impeding the functions of tissue-resident senescent cells. In this discussion, we describe the potential targets of immunosenescence and shed light on the probable mechanisms by which macrophages influence cellular senescence. Furthermore, we analyze their dual function in both clearing senescent cells and modulating age-related diseases. This multifaceted influence operates through processes including heightened inflammation, phagocytosis, efferocytosis, and autophagy. Given the potential off-target effects and immune evasion mechanisms associated with traditional anti-ageing strategies (senolytics and senomorphics), 'resetting' immune system tolerance or targeting senescence-related macrophage functions (i.e., phagocytotic capacity and immunosurveillance) will inform treatment of age-related diseases. Therefore, we review recent advances in the use of macrophage therapeutics to treat ageing and age-associated disorders, and outline the key gaps in this field.
Topics: Immunosenescence; Cellular Senescence; Macrophages
PubMed: 37866656
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2023.106479 -
Biogerontology Apr 2024Born as an endosymbiont, the bacteria engulfed by the proto-eukaryotic cell more than 1.45 billion years ago progressively evolved as an important organelle with... (Review)
Review
Born as an endosymbiont, the bacteria engulfed by the proto-eukaryotic cell more than 1.45 billion years ago progressively evolved as an important organelle with multiple interactions with the host cell. In particular, strong connections between mitochondria and the chromosome ends, the telomeres, led to propose a new theory of ageing in which dysfunctional telomeres and mitochondria are the main actors of a vicious circle reducing cell fitness and promoting cellular ageing. We review the evidences that oxidative stress and dysfunctional mitochondria damage telomeres and further discuss the interrelationship between telomere biology and mitochondria through the lens of telomerase which shuttles between the nucleus and mitochondria. Finally, we elaborate on the possible role of the mitochondrial genome on the inheritance of human telomere length through the expression of mitochondrial gene variants.
Topics: Humans; Telomere; Mitochondria; Oxidative Stress; Aging; Cellular Senescence; Telomerase
PubMed: 37864609
DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10074-7 -
Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology Jun 2024Females are born with a finite and non-renewable reservoir of oocytes, which therefore decline both in number and quality with advancing age. A striking characteristic... (Review)
Review
Females are born with a finite and non-renewable reservoir of oocytes, which therefore decline both in number and quality with advancing age. A striking characteristic of oocyte quality is that "ageing" effects manifest whilst women are in their thirties and are therefore still chronologically and physically young. Furthermore, this decline is unrelenting and not modifiable to any great extent by lifestyle or diet. Since oocyte quality is rate-limiting for pregnancy success, as the proportion of good-quality oocytes progressively deteriorate, the chance of successful pregnancy during each 6-12-month period also decreases, becoming exponential after 37 years. Unlike oocyte quality, age-related attrition in the size of the ovarian reservoir is less impactful for natural fertility since only one mature oocyte is typically ovulated per menstrual cycle. In contrast, oocyte numbers are pivotal for in-vitro fertilization success, since larger numbers enable better-quality oocytes to be found and is important for buffering the inefficiencies of the IVF process. The ageing trajectory is accelerated in ~10% of women, so-called premature ovarian ageing, with ~1% of women at the extreme end of this spectrum with loss of ovarian function occurring before 40 years of age, termed premature ovarian insufficiency. The aim of this review was to analyze how ageing impacts the size and quality of the oocyte pool along with emerging interventions for combating low oocyte numbers and improving quality.
Topics: Humans; Oocytes; Female; Aging; Pregnancy; Fertilization in Vitro; Adult; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Cellular Senescence; Ovarian Reserve
PubMed: 38536027
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-606X.24.05343-0 -
Thrombosis Research Nov 2023Platelet ageing is an area of research which has gained much interest in recent years. Newly formed platelets, often referred to as reticulated platelets, young... (Review)
Review
Platelet ageing is an area of research which has gained much interest in recent years. Newly formed platelets, often referred to as reticulated platelets, young platelets or immature platelets, are defined as RNA-enriched and have long been thought to be hyper-reactive. This latter view is largely rooted in associations and observations in patient groups with shortened platelet half-lives who often present with increased proportions of newly formed platelets. Evidence from such groups suggests that an increased proportion of newly formed platelets is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events and a reduced effectiveness of standard anti-platelet therapies. Whilst research has highlighted the existence of platelet subpopulations based on function, size and age within patient groups, the common intrinsic changes which occur as platelets age within the circulation are only just being explored. By understanding the changes that occur during the natural ageing processes of platelets, we may be able to identify the triggers for alterations in platelet life span and platelet reactivity. Here we review research on platelet ageing in the context of health and disease, paying particular attention to the experimental approaches taken and the robustness of conclusions that can be drawn.
Topics: Humans; Blood Platelets; Aging
PubMed: 36587993
DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2022.12.004