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Dr. Leonid Peshkin from the Department of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School details a research perspective he co-authored that was published by Aging (Aging-US) in Volume 16, Issue 4, entitled, “On standardization of controls in lifespan studies.”
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DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205604

Corresponding author - Leonid Peshkin - pesha@hms.harvard.edu

Video interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_tL2aTN2Jw

Interview transcript - https://aging-us.net/2024/05/22/behind-the-study-on-standardization-of-controls-in-lifespan-studies/

Abstract

The search for interventions to slow down and even reverse aging is a burgeoning field. The literature cites hundreds of supposedly beneficial pharmacological and genetic interventions in model organisms: mice, rats, flies and worms, where research into physiology is routinely accompanied by lifespan data. However, when experimental animals from one article live as long as controls from another article, comparing the results of interventions across studies can yield misleading outcomes. Theoretically, all lifespan data are ripe for re-analysis: we could contrast the molecular targets and pathways across studies and help focus the further search for interventions. Alas, the results of most longevity studies are difficult to compare. This is in part because there are no clear, universally accepted standards for conducting such experiments or even for reporting such data. The situation is worsened by the fact that the authors often do not describe experimental conditions completely. As a result, works on longevity make up a set of precedents, each of which might be interesting in its own right, yet incoherent and incomparable at least for the reason that in a general context, it may indicate, for example, not prolonging the life of an average organism, but compensating for any genetic abnormalities of a particular sample or inappropriate living conditions. Here we point out specific issues and propose solutions for quality control by checking both inter- and intra-study consistency of lifespan data.

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Keywords - aging, animal disease models, survival modeling, data standardization

About Aging-US

Launched in 2009, Aging-US publishes papers of general interest and biological significance in all fields of aging research and age-related diseases, including cancer—and now, with a special focus on COVID-19 vulnerability as an age-dependent syndrome. Topics in Aging-US go beyond traditional gerontology, including, but not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, human age-related diseases, pathology in model organisms, signal transduction pathways (e.g., p53, sirtuins, and PI-3K/AKT/mTOR, among others), and approaches to modulating these signaling pathways.

Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

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Aging (Aging-US)

Behind the Study: Standardization of Controls in Lifespan Studies

Behind the Study: On Standardization of Controls in Lifespan Studies

BUFFALO, NY- June 12, 2024 – A new review paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 10, entitled, “Peripheral vascular dysfunction and the aging brain.”

Aging is the greatest non-modifiable risk factor for most diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. In their new review, researchers Devin Wahl and Zachary S. Clayton from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado note that robust evidence indicates that CVD are a strong determinant for reduced brain health and all-cause dementia with advancing age. 

“CVD are also closely linked with peripheral and cerebral vascular dysfunction, common contributors to the development and progression of all types of dementia, that are largely driven by excessive levels of oxidative stress (e.g., reactive oxygen species [ROS]).”

Emerging evidence suggests that several fundamental aging mechanisms (e.g., “hallmarks” of aging), including chronic low-grade inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence and deregulated nutrient sensing contribute to excessive ROS production and are common to both peripheral and cerebral vascular dysfunction. Therefore, targeting these mechanisms to reduce ROS-related oxidative stress and improve peripheral and/or cerebral vascular function may be a promising strategy to reduce dementia risk with aging. Investigating how certain lifestyle strategies (e.g., aerobic exercise and diet modulation) and/or select pharmacological agents (natural and synthetic) intersect with aging “hallmarks” to promote peripheral and/or cerebral vascular health represent a viable option for reducing dementia risk with aging. 

“Therefore, the primary purpose of this review is to explore mechanistic links among peripheral vascular dysfunction, cerebral vascular dysfunction, and reduced brain health with aging. Such insight and assessments of non-invasive measures of peripheral and cerebral vascular health with aging might provide a new approach for assessing dementia risk in older adults.”

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205877

Corresponding authors - Devin Wahl - devin.wahl@colostate.edu, and Zachary S. Clayton - zachary.clayton@colorado.edu

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gx9DklNZVM

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Keywords - aging, peripheral vascular health, cerebrovascular health, cognitive function, dementia

About Aging-US

Aging publishes research papers in all fields of aging research, including but not limited to aging processes (from yeast to mammals), cellular senescence, age-related diseases (such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease) and their prevention and treatment, anti-aging strategies and drug development, and, importantly, the role of signal transduction pathways in aging (such as mTOR) and potential approaches to modulate these signaling pathways to extend lifespan.

The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)

Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc

MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

The Aging Brain and Peripheral Vascular Dysfunction

Werner syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder marked by the premature onset of features typically associated with normal aging. This autosomal recessive condition manifests in individuals who generally develop normally until adolescence. As the syndrome progresses, affected individuals are predisposed to age-related diseases much earlier in life. These conditions include cataracts, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, and various cancers. The underlying cause of Werner syndrome is believed to be mutations in the WRN gene, which encodes a RecQ helicase crucial for DNA repair and replication.

Despite the accelerated aging, cognitive function remains unaffected in individuals with WS, providing a unique model for studying the mechanisms of aging and exploring potential therapeutic interventions. Although extensive research has been conducted, the precise mechanisms underlying these effects remain elusive.

On May 24, 2024, researchers Lucie Aumailley, Marie Julie Dubois, André Marette, and Michel Lebel from Université Laval published research paper chosen as the cover of Aging’s Volume 16, Issue 10, entitled, “Integrated liver and serum proteomics uncover sexual dimorphism and alteration of several immune response proteins in an aging Werner syndrome mouse model.” Recognizing the limitations of traditional investigative approaches, Aumailley et al. utilized advanced proteomics in their study. Proteomics allows the simultaneous identification and quantification of hundreds of proteins, providing a comprehensive analysis of liver and serum proteome profiles from wild-type and WRN mutant mice at different ages to uncover biological processes influenced by age and genotype.

Full blog - https://aging-us.org/2024/06/werner-syndrome-and-the-power-of-proteomics/

Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205866

Corresponding author - Michel Lebel - michel.lebel@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP6deANWgP4

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Keywords - aging, proteomics, Werner syndrome, fatty liver, sexual dimorphism, immunoglobulins

About Aging-US

Aging publishes research papers in all fields of aging research, including but not limited to aging processes (from yeast to mammals), cellular senescence, age-related diseases (such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease) and their prevention and treatment, anti-aging strategies and drug development, and, importantly, the role of signal transduction pathways in aging (such as mTOR) and potential approaches to modulate these signaling pathways to extend lifespan.

The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)

Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc

MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Werner Syndrome and the Power of Proteomics

BUFFALO, NY- June 17, 2024 – A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 11, entitled, “Mitophagy and cancer: role of BNIP3/BNIP3L as energetic drivers of stemness features, ATP production, proliferation, and cell migration.”

Mitophagy is a selective form of autophagy which permits the removal of dysfunctional or excess mitochondria. This occurs as an adaptative response to physiological stressors, such as hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, or DNA damage. Mitophagy is promoted by specific mitochondrial outer membrane receptors, among which are BNIP3 and BNIP3L. 

The role of mitophagy in cancer is being widely studied, and more specifically in the maintenance of cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, such as self-renewal. Given that CSCs are responsible for treatment failure and metastatic capacity, targeting mitophagy could be an interesting approach for CSC elimination. In this new study, researchers Marta Mauro-Lizcano, Federica Sotgia, and Michael P. Lisanti from the University of Salford describe a new model system to enrich sub-populations of cancer cells with high basal levels of mitophagy, based on the functional transcriptional activity of BNIP3 and BNIP3L. 

“Briefly, we employed a BNIP3(L)-promoter-eGFP-reporter system to isolate cancer cells with high BNIP3/BNIP3L transcriptional activity by flow cytometry (FACS).” 

The model was validated by using complementary lysosomal and mitophagy-specific probes, as well as the mitochondrially-targeted red fluorescent protein (RFP), namely mt-Keima. High BNIP3/BNIP3L transcriptional activity was accompanied by increases in i) BNIP3/BNIP3L protein levels, ii) lysosomal mass, and iii) basal mitophagy activity. Furthermore, cancer cells with increased BNIP3/BNIP3L transcriptional activity exhibited CSC features, such as greater mammosphere-forming ability and high CD44 levels. 

“To further explore the model, we also analysed other stemness characteristics in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, directly demonstrating that BNIP3(L)-high cells were more metabolically active, proliferative, migratory, and drug-resistant, with elevated anti-oxidant capacity. Therefore, high levels of basal mitophagy appear to enhance CSC features.”

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205939

Corresponding authors - Federica Sotgia - fsotgia@gmail.com, and Michael P. Lisanti - michaelp.lisanti@gmail.com

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n872jCkc-q8

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About Aging-US

Aging publishes research papers in all fields of aging research, including but not limited to aging processes (from yeast to mammals), cellular senescence, age-related diseases (such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease) and their prevention and treatment, anti-aging strategies and drug development, and, importantly, the role of signal transduction pathways in aging (such as mTOR) and potential approaches to modulate these signaling pathways to extend lifespan.

The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)

Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc

MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Mitophagy and Cancer: BNIP3/BNIP3L's Role in Stemness, ATP Production, and Cell Migration

A traditional, twice-monthly, peer-reviewed, open-access journal covering all areas of research on aging and age-related diseases, including cancer and now, with a special focus on COVID-19 vulnerability as an age-dependent syndrome.

Read about the Aging (Aging-US) Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

Behind the Study: On Standardization of Controls in Lifespan Studies

Aging (Aging-US) Podcast

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