Aging-US
Aging-US Podcast
Aging-US is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive aging and the development of age-related diseases. Our mission is to serve as a platform for high-quality research that uncovers the cellular, molecular, and systemic processes underlying aging, and translates these insights into strategies to extend healthspan and delay the onset of chronic disease.
Read about the Aging-US Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity
Read about the Aging-US Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity
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Dec 22, 2022 • 4min
White Matter Hyperintensity Load Associated With Premature Brain Aging
A new research paper was published in Aging (listed as "Aging (Albany NY)" by MEDLINE/PubMed and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 23, entitled, “White matter hyperintensity load is associated with premature brain aging.”
Brain age is an MRI-derived estimate of brain tissue loss that has a similar pattern to aging-related atrophy. White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are neuroimaging markers of small vessel disease and may represent subtle signs of brain compromise.
In this new study, researchers Natalie Busby, Sarah Newman-Norlund, Sara Sayers, Roger Newman-Norlund, Sarah Wilson, Samaneh Nemati, Chris Rorden, Janina Wilmskoetter, Nicholas Riccardi, Rebecca Roth, Julius Fridriksson, and Leonardo Bonilha from University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina and Emory University tested the hypothesis that WMHs are independently associated with premature brain age in an original aging cohort.
“We hypothesized that a higher WMH load is linearly associated with premature brain aging controlling for chronological age.”
Brain age was calculated using machine-learning on whole-brain tissue estimates from T1-weighted images using the BrainAgeR analysis pipeline in 166 healthy adult participants. WMHs were manually delineated on FLAIR images. WMH load was defined as the cumulative volume of WMHs. A positive difference between estimated brain age and chronological age (BrainGAP) was used as a measure of premature brain aging. Then, partial Pearson correlations between BrainGAP and volume of WMHs were calculated (accounting for chronological age).
Brain and chronological age were strongly correlated (r(163)=0.932, p<0.001). There was significant negative correlation between BrainGAP scores and chronological age (r(163)=-0.244, p<0.001) indicating that younger participants had higher BrainGAP (premature brain aging). Chronological age also showed a positive correlation with WMH load (r(163)=0.506, p<0.001) indicating older participants had increased WMH load. Controlling for chronological age, there was a statistically significant relationship between premature brain aging and WMHs load (r(163)=0.216, p=0.003). Each additional year in brain age beyond chronological age corresponded to an additional 1.1mm3 in WMH load.
“WMHs are an independent factor associated with premature brain aging. This finding underscores the impact of white matter disease on global brain integrity and progressive age-like brain atrophy.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204397
Corresponding Author: Natalie Busby - hethern@mailbox.sc.edu
Keywords: brain age, white matter hyperintensity, brain health, aging, health
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About Aging-US:
Launched in 2009, Aging (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 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 www.Aging-US.com and connect with us:
SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
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For media inquiries, please contact media@impactjournals.com.

Dec 21, 2022 • 4min
DNA Methylation GrimAge Version 2
A new research paper was published in Aging (listed as “Aging (Albany NY)” by MEDLINE/PubMed and “Aging-US” by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 23, entitled, “DNA methylation GrimAge version 2.”
Researchers Ake T. Lu, Alexandra M. Binder, Joshua Zhang, Qi Yan, Alex P. Reiner, Simon R. Cox, Janie Corley, Sarah E. Harris, Pei-Lun Kuo, Ann Z. Moore, Stefania Bandinelli, James D. Stewart, Cuicui Wang, Elissa J. Hamlat, Elissa S. Epel, Joel D. Schwartz, Eric A. Whitsel, Adolfo Correa, Luigi Ferrucci, Riccardo E. Marioni, and Steve Horvath from the University of California Los Angeles, Altos Labs, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Edinburgh, National Institute on Aging, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, University of California – San Francisco, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center previously described a DNA methylation (DNAm) based biomarker of human mortality risk DNAm GrimAge. In their current study, the researchers describe version 2 of GrimAge (trained on individuals aged between 40 and 92) which leverages two new DNAm based estimators of (log transformed) plasma proteins: high sensitivity C-reactive protein (logCRP) and hemoglobin A1C (logA1C).
“To arrive at version 2 of GrimAge, we developed two additional DNAm based surrogates for plasma proteins that are widely used in the clinic (DNAm logCRP and DNAm logA1C).”
The team evaluated GrimAge2 in 13,399 blood samples across nine study cohorts. After adjustment for age and sex, GrimAge2 outperforms GrimAge in predicting mortality across multiple racial/ethnic groups (meta P=3.6×10-167 versus P=2.6×10-144) and in terms of associations with age related conditions such as coronary heart disease, lung function measurement FEV1 (correlation= -0.31, P=1.1×10-136), computed tomography based measurements of fatty liver disease. The researchers presented evidence that GrimAge version 2 also applies to younger individuals and to saliva samples where it tracks markers of metabolic syndrome.
DNAm logCRP is positively correlated with morbidity count (P=1.3×10-54). DNAm logA1C is highly associated with type 2 diabetes (P=5.8×10-155). DNAm PAI-1 outperforms the other age-adjusted DNAm biomarkers including GrimAge2 in correlating with triglyceride (cor=0.34, P=9.6×10-267) and visceral fat (cor=0.41, P=4.7×10-41). Overall, the team demonstrated that GrimAge version 2 is an attractive epigenetic biomarker of human mortality and morbidity risk.
“GrimAge2 will not replace existing clinical biomarkers. Rather, GrimAge2 complements existing clinical biomarkers when evaluating an individual’s aging rate.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204434
Corresponding Author: Steve Horvath - shorvath@mednet.ucla.edu
About Aging-US:
Launched in 2009, Aging (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 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 www.Aging-US.com and connect with us:
SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/agingus
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For media inquiries, please contact media@impactjournals.com.

Dec 9, 2022 • 6min
New Insights Into the Mechanisms of Sarcopenia
Listen to a blog summary of a trending research paper published by Aging (Aging-US) in Volume 14, Issue 22, entitled, “Denervation induces mitochondrial decline and exacerbates lysosome dysfunction in middle-aged mice.”
________________________________________________________
A hallmark characteristic of aging is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, known as sarcopenia. A process called motor neuron denervation (Den)—when nerve signals to muscles are blocked or reduced—leads to muscle atrophy, fatigue and eventually muscle loss. Determining how and when Den events influence older muscles is crucially important for developing interventions to stop or reverse age-related muscle wasting.
“Further, aged muscle exhibits reduced plasticity to both enhanced and suppressed contractile activity. It remains unclear when the onset of this blunted response occurs, and how middle-aged muscle adapts to denervation.”
Dysfunctional mitochondria in muscle tissue are known to increase with age. Lysosomes are responsible for the recycling of damaged mitochondria. However, as muscles age, lysosomal function in muscle tissue also declines.
In a new study, researchers Matthew Triolo, Debasmita Bhattacharya and David A. Hood from York University in Toronto, Canada, aimed to characterize the time-dependent changes in denervated skeletal muscle from middle-aged mice. The team focussed on how mitochondrial turnover is impacted. On November 4, 2022, their research paper was published in Aging’s Volume 14, Issue 22, entitled, “Denervation induces mitochondrial decline and exacerbates lysosome dysfunction in middle-aged mice.”
Full blog - https://aging-us.org/2022/12/new-insights-into-the-mechanisms-of-sarcopenia/
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204365
Corresponding author - David A. Hood - dhood@yorku.ca
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcrv4KeFvsY
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Keywords - mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy, mitophagy, lysosomes, muscle
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:
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
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Media Contact
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Dec 7, 2022 • 4min
The Potential Benefit of Metformin to Reduce Delirium Risk and Mortality
A new research paper was published in Aging (listed as “Aging (Albany NY)” by MEDLINE/PubMed and “Aging-US” by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 22, entitled, “The potential benefit of metformin to reduce delirium risk and mortality: a retrospective cohort study.”
Metformin has been reported to improve age-related disorders, including dementia, and to lower mortality. This study was conducted to investigate whether metformin use lowers delirium risk, as well as long-term mortality.
In the current retrospective cohort study, researchers Takehiko Yamanashi, Zoe-Ella EM Anderson, Manisha Modukuri, Gloria Chang, Tammy Tran, Pedro S. Marra, Nadia E. Wahba, Kaitlyn J. Crutchley, Eleanor J. Sullivan, Sydney S. Jellison, Katie R. Comp, Cade C. Akers, Alissa A. Meyer, Sangil Lee, Masaaki Iwata, Hyunkeun R. Cho, Eri Shinozaki, and Gen Shinozaki from Stanford University School of Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa College of Public Health, and Tottori University Faculty of Medicine analyzed 1,404 previously recruited subjects. The relationship between metformin use and delirium, and the relationship between metformin use and 3-year mortality were investigated.
“Thus, in this report we aimed to investigate the relationship between DM [diabetes mellitus] and delirium risk with a focus on the influence from metformin. We hypothesized that history of metformin use is associated with lower risk for delirium. We were also interested in testing if history of metformin use can alter one of the most important patient outcomes, mortality.”
242 subjects were categorized into a type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)-without-metformin group, and 264 subjects were categorized into a DM-with-metformin group. Prevalence of delirium was 36.0% in the DM-without-metformin group, and 29.2% in the DM-with-metformin group. A history of metformin use reduced the risk of delirium in patients with DM (OR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.32 to 0.79]) after controlling for confounding factors.
The 3-year mortality in the DM-without-metformin group (survival rate, 0.595 [95% CI, 0.512 to 0.669]) was higher than in the DM-with-metformin group (survival rate, 0.695 [95% CI, 0.604 to 0.770]) (p=0.035). A history of metformin use decreased the risk of 3-year mortality after adjustment for confounding factors (HR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.98]). The researchers concluded that metformin use may lower the risk of delirium and mortality in DM patients.
“In this report, we showed the potential benefit of metformin in decreasing the risk of delirium and mortality in DM subjects.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204393
Corresponding Author: Gen Shinozaki - gens@stanford.edu
Keywords: delirium, metformin, diabetes mellitus, mortality, aging
About Aging-US:
Launched in 2009, Aging (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 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 www.Aging-US.com and connect with us:
SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
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For media inquiries, please contact media@impactjournals.com.

Dec 1, 2022 • 4min
Glutaminase Inhibitors Rejuvenate Human Skin via Clearance of Senescent Cells
A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (Aging-US) Volume 14, Issue 22, entitled, “Glutaminase inhibitors rejuvenate human skin via clearance of senescent cells: a study using a mouse/human chimeric model.”
Skin aging caused by various endogenous and exogenous factors results in structural and functional changes to skin components. However, the role of senescent cells in skin aging has not been clarified.
In this new study, researchers Kento Takaya, Tatsuyuki Ishii, Toru Asou, and Kazuo Kishi, from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Keio University School of Medicine, evaluated the effects of the glutaminase inhibitor BPTES (bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1, 3, 4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide) on human senescent dermal fibroblasts and aged human skin to elucidate the function of senescent cells in skin aging.
“[...] we utilized plastic surgery to create an experimental mouse/human chimeric model in which intraoperatively obtained human whole skin layers were transplanted into nude mice using previously described methods [25] and evaluated the anti-aging effects of BPTES on real human skin.”
Primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were induced to senescence by long-term passaging, ionizing radiation, and treatment with doxorubicin, an anticancer drug. Cell viability of HDFs was assessed after BPTES treatment. A mouse/human chimeric model was created by subcutaneously transplanting whole skin grafts from aged humans into nude mice. The model was treated intraperitoneally with BPTES or vehicle for 30 days. Skin samples were collected and subjected to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting, and histological analysis.
BPTES selectively eliminated senescent dermal fibroblasts regardless of the method used to induce senescence; aged human skin grafts treated with BPTES exhibited increased collagen density, increased cell proliferation in the dermis, and decreased aging-related secretory phenotypes, such as matrix metalloprotease and interleukin. These effects were maintained in the grafts 1 month after termination of the treatment. In conclusion, selective removal of senescent dermal fibroblasts can improve the skin aging phenotype, indicating that BPTES may be an effective novel therapeutic agent for skin aging.
“In summary, our results indicate that selective clearance of aging dermal fibroblasts by BPTES ameliorates skin senescence-related changes and that aging dermal fibroblasts may play an important role in the skin aging process. Therefore, senescent cell eliminators for aging skin cells may be an effective option for treating skin aging.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204391
Corresponding Author: Kento Takaya - kento-takaya312@keio.jp
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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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For media inquiries, please contact media@impactjournals.com

Nov 22, 2022 • 3min
Krill Oil Protects Dopaminergic Neurons from Age-Related Degeneration
A new research paper was published in Aging (listed as "Aging (Albany NY)" by MEDLINE/PubMed and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 21, entitled, “Krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging.”
There is accumulating evidence that interfering with the basic aging mechanisms can enhance healthy longevity. The interventional/therapeutic strategies targeting multiple aging hallmarks could be more effective than targeting one hallmark. While health-promoting qualities of marine oils have been extensively studied, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.
Lipid extracts from Antarctic krill are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids choline, and astaxanthin. In this new study, researchers Tanima SenGupta, Yohan Lefol, Lisa Lirussi, Veronica Suaste, Torben Luders, Swapnil Gupta, Yahyah Aman, Kulbhushan Sharma, Evandro Fei Fang, and Hilde Nilsen from the University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital and Akershus University Hospital used C. elegans and human cells to investigate whether krill oil promotes healthy aging.
“In a C. elegans model of Parkinson's disease, we show that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from aging-related degeneration, decreases alpha-synuclein aggregation, and improves dopamine-dependent behavior and cognition”
Krill oil rewires distinct gene expression programs that contribute to attenuating several aging hallmarks, including oxidative stress, proteotoxic stress, senescence, genomic instability, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mechanistically, krill oil increases neuronal resilience through temporal transcriptome rewiring to promote anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation via healthspan regulating transcription factors such as SNK-1. Moreover, krill oil promotes dopaminergic neuron survival through regulation of synaptic transmission and neuronal functions via PBO-2 and RIM-1.
“Collectively, krill oil rewires global gene expression programs and promotes healthy aging via abrogating multiple aging hallmarks, suggesting directions for further pre-clinical and clinical explorations.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204375
Corresponding Author: Hilde Nilsen - hilde.nilsen@medisin.uio.no
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oucZo5px1YU
Keywords: krill oil, aging, healthspan, mitochondrial health, senescence
About Aging-US:
Launched in 2009, Aging (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 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 www.Aging-US.com and connect with us:
SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
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For media inquiries, please contact media@impactjournals.com

Nov 22, 2022 • 4min
USP7 Regulates Cyclin F Protein Stability
A new research paper was published in Aging (listed as “Aging (Albany NY)” by MEDLINE/PubMed and “Aging-US” by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 21, entitled, “The deubiquitylase USP7 is a novel cyclin F-interacting protein and regulates cyclin F protein stability.”
Orderly progression through the cell cycle is driven by the periodic oscillations in the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Cyclin F, unlike canonical and transcriptional cyclins, does not bind or activate any cyclin-dependent kinases. Instead, it harbors an F-box motif and primarily functions as the substrate recognition subunit of the Skp1-Cul1-F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, SCFCyclin F.
By targeting specific proteins for ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation, cyclin F plays a critical role in the regulation of centrosomal duplication, DNA replication and repair, and maintenance of genomic stability. Cyclin F abundance and activity are tightly regulated throughout the cell cycle. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cyclin F are scantily understood.
In this new study, researchers Savitha S. Sharma, W. Jack Pledger and Paturu Kondaiah from Indian Institute of Science, Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and University of Utah Health’s Huntsman Cancer Institute identified the deubiquitylase USP7 as a novel cyclin F-interacting protein.
“In this study, we identify USP7 as a novel cyclin F-interacting protein and uncover novel aspects of cyclin F regulation mediated by this interaction.”
The team observed that USP7 stabilizes cyclin F protein and that this function is independent of the deubiquitylase activity of USP7. Additionally, their data suggest that USP7 is also involved in the regulation of cyclin F mRNA. Pharmacological inhibition of the deubiquitylase activity of USP7 resulted in downregulation of cyclin F mRNA.
“In conclusion, in this study, we demonstrate a new interacting partner of cyclin F, namely USP7, and the role of USP7 in the regulation of cyclin F mRNA and protein. This study highlights a potential role for the cyclin F-USP7 axis in pathological conditions, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204372
Corresponding Author: Savitha S. Sharma - savitha.sharma@ssnccpr.org
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMGevJWU9Ac
Keywords: cyclin F, atypical cyclins, USP7, cell cycle, genomic integrity
About Aging-US:
Launched in 2009, Aging (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 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 www.Aging-US.com and connect with us:
SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
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For media inquiries, please contact media@impactjournals.com

Nov 22, 2022 • 8min
Is Estrogen Dysregulation Behind Alzheimer’s Pathology?
Listen to a blog summary of a trending research paper published by Aging (Aging-US), entitled, "ESR1 dysfunction triggers neuroinflammation as a critical upstream causative factor of the Alzheimer’s disease process.”
_________________________________________________
The United States government currently has a mind-blowing annual budget of $3.5 billion designated for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia research funding. Therapeutics pushed forward thus far have been largely based on the amyloid-beta (Aβ) cascade hypothesis of AD. Surprisingly, despite decades and billions, these interventions have yielded little to no benefits for AD patients. This lack of efficacy has encouraged some researchers to rethink AD pathology and focus on discovering key triggers and mechanisms of neuroinflammation.
“There has been a lengthy and ongoing scientific debate around the causative factors of AD, and the relative importance of both senile Aβ plaques and tau tangles has been largely informed by postmortem investigations of the AD brain. For several decades, the amyloid hypothesis has dominated the field, which has brought forth many high-profile therapeutic attempts that have produced side effects but no real benefits [5].”
Women compose two-thirds of the United States Alzheimer’s population. Is this gender-specific risk a result of living longer or is it due to other causes, perhaps related to hormonal differences or gender-associated differential gene expression? Previous studies have found that estrogen may protect neurons from the damaging effects of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles. However, in women, estrogen levels tend to decline with age, which could be one reason why aging women are more susceptible to AD.
In a new study, researchers Junying Liu, Shouli Yuan, Xinhui Niu, Robbie Kelleher, and Helen Sheridan from Trinity College Dublin, Peking University and Jilin University examined the potential relationship between the estrogen receptor-α gene (ESR1) and neuroinflammation. Their research paper was published on November 1, 2022, in Aging’s Volume 14, Issue 21, and entitled, “ESR1 dysfunction triggers neuroinflammation as a critical upstream causative factor of the Alzheimer’s disease process.”
“AD is characterized by three major questions: Why is age the primary risk factor? Why are women more sensitive to the onset of this form of dementia? And why are neurons in areas of the brain that are essential for memory selectively targeted?”
Full blog - https://aging-us.org/2022/11/is-estrogen-dysregulation-behind-alzheimers-pathology/
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204359
Corresponding authors - Junying Liu - juliu@tcd.ie
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPWv39SJOpQ
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Keywords - ESR1, Alzheimer’s disease, CEBPB/ATF4, APOE, pyroptosis
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:
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/agingus
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/
Media Contact
18009220957
MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Nov 16, 2022 • 4min
Press Release: IGF1 Gene Therapy In Middle-Aged Female Rats Delays Reproductive Senescence
A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed as "Aging (Albany NY)" by Medline/PubMed and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 21, entitled, “IGF1 gene therapy in middle-aged female rats delays reproductive senescence through its effects on hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin neurons.”
The process of aging is the result of progressive loss of homeostasis and functional body impairment, including the central nervous system, where the hypothalamus plays a key role in regulating aging mechanisms. The consequences of aging include a chronic proinflammatory environment in the hypothalamus that leads to decreased secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and impairs kisspeptin neuron functionality.
In this new study, researchers Franco Juan Cruz Dolcetti, Eugenia Falomir-Lockhart, Francisco Acuña, Macarena Lorena Herrera, Sofia Cervellini, Claudio Gustavo Barbeito, Daniela Grassi, Maria-Angeles Arevalo, and María José Bellini from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNC-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Autonomous University of Madrid, Instituto Cajal, and Instituto de Salud Carlos III investigated the effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene therapy on hypothalamic kisspeptin/GnRH neurons and on microglial cells, that mediate the inflammatory process related with the aging process.
“The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of IGF1 gene therapy on estrous cycle, kisspeptin and GnRH neurons, and microglial cells in middle-aged female rats.”
The results show that IGF1 rats have higher kisspeptin expression in the anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nucleus and higher immunoreactivity of GnRH in the arcuate nucleus and median eminence. In addition, IGF1-treated animals exhibit increased numbers of Iba1+ microglial cells and MHCII+/Iba1+ in the AVPV and arcuate nuclei. In conclusion, IGF1 gene therapy maintains kisspeptin production in the AVPV nucleus, induces GnRH release in the median eminence, and alters the number and reactivity of microglial cells in middle-aged female rats. The researchers suggest that IGF1 gene therapy may have a protective effect against reproductive decline.
“Based on our findings, we propose IGF1 gene therapy to delay reproductive senescence as a potential strategy to optimize lifespan and combat age-related health problems in women.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204360
Corresponding Authors: Maria-Angeles Arevalo - arevalo@cajal.csic.es, and María José Bellini - mariajosebellini@med.unlp.edu.ar
Keywords: IGF1, gene therapy, reproductive senescence, GnRH, kisspeptin, microglia
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About Aging-US:
Launched in 2009, Aging (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 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.
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Nov 10, 2022 • 4min
Age-Associated Changes in Microglia Activation and Sirtuin-1- Chromatin Binding Patterns
A new research paper was published in Aging (listed as “Aging (Albany NY)” by MEDLINE/PubMed and “Aging-US” by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 20, entitled, “Age-associated changes in microglia activation and Sirtuin-1- chromatin binding patterns.”
The aging process is associated with changes in mechanisms maintaining physiology, influenced by genetics and lifestyle, and impacting late life quality and longevity. Brain health is critical in healthy aging. Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), a histone deacetylase with silencing properties, is one of the molecular determinants experimentally linked to health and longevity.
In this new study, researchers Liana V. Basova, Nikki Bortell, Bruno Conti, Howard S. Fox, Richard Milner, and Maria Cecilia Garibaldi Marcondes from San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Oncovalent Therapeutics compared brain pathogenesis and Sirt1-chromatin binding dynamics in brain pre-frontal cortex from 2 groups of elder rhesus macaques (rhesus monkeys), divided by age of necropsy: shorter-lived animals (18-20 years old (yo)), equivalent to 60-70 human yo; and longer-lived animals (23-29 yo), corresponding to 80-100 human yo and modeling successful aging. These were compared with young adult brains (4-7 yo).
“Our findings indicated drastic differences in the microglia marker Iba1, along with factors influencing Sirt1 levels and activity, such as CD38 (an enzyme limiting NAD that controls Sirt1 activity) and mir142 (a microRNA targeting Sirt1 transcription) between the elder groups.”
Iba1 was lower in shorter-lived animals than in the other groups, while CD38 was higher in both aging groups compared to young. mir142 and Sirt1 levels were inversely correlated in longer-lived brains (>23yo), but not in shorter-lived brains (18-20 yo). They also found that Sirt1 binding showed signs of better efficiency in longer-lived animals compared to shorter-lived ones, in genes associated with nuclear activity and senescence.
“Overall, differences in neuroinflammation and Sirt1 interactions with chromatin distinguished shorter- and longer-lived animals, suggesting the importance of preserving microglia and Sirt1 functional efficiency for longevity.”
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204329
Corresponding Author: Maria Cecilia Garibaldi Marcondes - cmarcondes@SDBRI.org
Keywords: aging, brain, rhesus macaques, microglia, Sirtuin-1
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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz33TWM4so4
About Aging-US:
Launched in 2009, Aging (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 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.
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