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Ruby JG, Smith M, Buffenstein R. Five years later, with double the demographic data, naked mole-rat mortality rates continue to defy Gompertzian laws by not increasing with age. GeroScience 2024; 46:5321-5341. [PMID: 38773057 PMCID: PMC11336006 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01201-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a mouse-sized rodent species, notable for its eusociality and long lifespan. Previously, we reported that demographic aging, i.e., the exponential increase of mortality hazard that accompanies advancing age in mammals and other organisms, does not occur in naked mole-rats (Ruby et al., 2018), a finding that has potential implications for human healthy aging. The demographic data supporting that conclusion had taken over three decades to accumulate, starting with the original rearing of H. glaber in captivity. This finding was controversial since many of the animals in that study were relatively young. In the 5 years following that study, we have doubled our quantity of demographic data. Here, we re-evaluated our prior conclusions in light of these new data and found them to be not only supported but indeed strengthened. We additionally provided insight into the social dynamics of captive H. glaber with data and analyses of body weight and colony size versus mortality. Finally, we provide a phylogenetically proximal comparator in the form of lifespan data from our Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) colony and demographic meta-analysis of those data along with published data from Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli). We found Fukomys mortality hazard to increase gradually with age, an observation with inferences on the evolution of exceptional lifespan among mole-rats and the ecological factors that may have accompanied that evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Graham Ruby
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, 1170 Veterans Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Megan Smith
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, 1170 Veterans Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Rochelle Buffenstein
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, 1170 Veterans Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago 845 W Taylor, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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Sanchez Sanchez G, Emmrich S, Georga M, Papadaki A, Kossida S, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V, Vermijlen D. Invariant γδTCR natural killer-like effector T cells in the naked mole-rat. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4248. [PMID: 38762584 PMCID: PMC11102460 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48652-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a long-lived rodent species showing resistance to the development of cancer. Although naked mole-rats have been reported to lack natural killer (NK) cells, γδ T cell-based immunity has been suggested in this species, which could represent an important arm of the immune system for antitumor responses. Here, we investigate the biology of these unconventional T cells in peripheral tissues (blood, spleen) and thymus of the naked mole-rat at different ages by TCR repertoire profiling and single-cell gene expression analysis. Using our own TCR annotation in the naked mole-rat genome, we report that the γδ TCR repertoire is dominated by a public invariant Vγ4-2/Vδ1-4 TCR, containing the complementary-determining-region-3 (CDR3)γ CTYWDSNYAKKLF / CDR3δ CALWELRTGGITAQLVF that are likely generated by short-homology-repeat-driven DNA rearrangements. This invariant TCR is specifically found in γδ T cells expressing genes associated with NK cytotoxicity and is generated in both the thoracic and cervical thymus of the naked mole-rat until adult life. Our results indicate that invariant Vγ4-2/Vδ1-4 NK-like effector T cells in the naked mole-rat can contribute to tumor immunosurveillance by γδ TCR-mediated recognition of a common molecular signal.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mole Rats/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Thymus Gland/immunology
- Thymus Gland/cytology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Spleen/immunology
- Complementarity Determining Regions/genetics
- Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillem Sanchez Sanchez
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies, Belgium
- ULB Center for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies, Belgium
- WELBIO Department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium
| | - Stephan Emmrich
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Maria Georga
- IMGT®, the international ImMunoGenetics information system®, Institut de Génétique Humaine (IGH), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier (UM), Montpellier, France
| | - Ariadni Papadaki
- IMGT®, the international ImMunoGenetics information system®, Institut de Génétique Humaine (IGH), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier (UM), Montpellier, France
| | - Sofia Kossida
- IMGT®, the international ImMunoGenetics information system®, Institut de Génétique Humaine (IGH), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier (UM), Montpellier, France
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center and Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center and Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - David Vermijlen
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies, Belgium.
- ULB Center for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies, Belgium.
- WELBIO Department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium.
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Yang W, Chen C, Jiang X, Zhao Y, Wang J, Zhang Q, Zhang J, Feng Y, Cui S. CACNA1B protects naked mole-rat hippocampal neuron from apoptosis via altering the subcellular localization of Nrf2 after 60Co irradiation. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:695-711. [PMID: 38389270 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Although radiotherapy is the most effective treatment modality for brain tumors, it always injures the central nervous system, leading to potential sequelae such as cognitive dysfunction. Radiation induces molecular, cellular, and functional changes in neuronal and glial cells. The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory; therefore, concerns about radiation-induced injury are widespread. Multiple studies have focused on this complex problem, but the results have not been fully elucidated. Naked mole rat brains were irradiated with 60Co at a dose of 10 Gy. On 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after irradiation, hippocampi in the control groups were obtained for next-generation sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently performed. Venn diagrams revealed 580 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were common at different times after irradiation. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the 580 common DEGs were enriched in molecular transducer activity. In particular, CACNA1B mediated regulatory effects after irradiation. CACNA1B expression increased significantly after irradiation. Downregulation of CACNA1B led to a reduction in apoptosis and reactive oxygen species levels in hippocampal neurons. This was due to the interaction between CACNA1B and Nrf2, which disturbed the normal nuclear localization of Nrf2. In addition, CACNA1B downregulation led to a decrease in the cognitive functions of naked mole rats. These findings reveal the pivotal role of CACNA1B in regulating radiation-induced brain injury and will lead to the development of a novel strategy to prevent brain injury after irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Yang
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Jiang
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yining Zhao
- Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Yangpu district mental health center, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyang Wang
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Feng
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shufang Cui
- Laboratory Animal Science Department, Basic Medical School, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Chaganti T, Tsai CY, Juang YP, Abdelalim M, Cernak T. Medicinal Chemistry Gone Wild. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38662285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Earth is currently experiencing a mass extinction event. The flora and fauna of our planet are experiencing mass die-offs from a multitude of factors, with wildlife disease emerging as one parameter where medicinal chemists are equipped to intervene. While contemporary medicinal chemistry focuses on human health, many traditional pharmaceutical companies have historic roots in human health, animal health, and plant health. This trifecta of health sciences perfectly maps to the current field of One Health, which recognizes that optimal health outcomes can only be achieved through the health of humans, plants, animals, and their shared environments. This Perspective imagines a world where state-of-the-art medicinal chemistry tactics are used to prevent the extinction of endangered species and points to preliminary work in the emerging area of conservation medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesko Chaganti
- Canton High School, Canton, Michigan 48187, United States
| | - Chun-Yi Tsai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yu-Pu Juang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Mohamed Abdelalim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Tim Cernak
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Wlaschek M, Singh K, Maity P, Scharffetter-Kochanek K. The skin of the naked mole-rat and its resilience against aging and cancer. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 216:111887. [PMID: 37993056 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (NMR) Heterocephalus glaber (from the Greek/latin words ἕτερος, heteros = divergent, κεφαλή, kephalē = head and glabra = hairless) was first described by Rüppell (Fig. 1) and belongs to the Hystricognath (from the Greek words ὕστριξ, hystrix = porcupine and γνάθος, gnathos = jaw) as a suborder of rodents. NMR are characterized by the highest longevity among rodents and reveal a profound cancer resistance. Details of its skin-specific protective and resistance mechanisms against aging and carcinogenesis have so far not been adequately characterized. Recently, our knowledge of NMR skin biology was complemented and expanded by published data using state-of-the art histological and molecular techniques. Here we review and integrate novel published data regarding skin morphology and histology of the aging NMR and the underlying mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level. We relate this data to the longevity of the NMR and its resistance to neoplastic transformation and discuss further open questions to understand its extraordinary longevity. In addition, we will address the exposome, defined as "the total of all non-genetic, endogenous and exogenous environmental influences" on the skin, respiratory tract, stomach, and intestine. Finally, we will discuss in perspective further intriguing possibilities arising from the interaction of skin with other organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meinhard Wlaschek
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Karmveer Singh
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Pallab Maity
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
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Urriola-Muñoz P, Pattison LA, Smith ESJ. Dysregulation of ADAM10 shedding activity in naked mole-rat fibroblasts is due to deficient phosphatidylserine externalization. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:761-775. [PMID: 36790936 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber) is of significant interest to biogerontological research, rarely developing age-associated diseases, such as cancer. The transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 is upregulated in certain cancers and CD44 cleavage by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) regulates cellular migration. Here we provide evidence that mature ADAM10 is expressed in NMR primary skin fibroblasts (NPSF), and that ionomycin increases cell surface ADAM10 localization. However, we observed an absence of ADAM10 mediated CD44 cleavage, as well as shedding of exogenous and overexpressed betacellulin in NPSF, whereas in mouse primary skin fibroblasts ionomycin induced ADAM10-dependent cleavage of both CD44 and betacellulin. Overexpressing a hyperactive form of the Ca2+ -dependent phospholipid scramblase ANO6 in NPSF increased phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, which rescued the ADAM10 sheddase activity and promoted cell migration in NPSF in an ADAM10-dependent manner. These findings suggest that dysregulation of ADAM10 shedding activity is due to a deficient PS externalization in NMR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke A Pattison
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ewan St J Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Oka K, Yamakawa M, Kawamura Y, Kutsukake N, Miura K. The Naked Mole-Rat as a Model for Healthy Aging. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:207-226. [PMID: 36318672 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050322-074744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are the longest-lived rodents with a maximum life span exceeding 37 years. They exhibit a delayed aging phenotype and resistance to age-related functional decline/diseases. Specifically, they do not display increased mortality with age, maintain several physiological functions until nearly the end of their lifetime, and rarely develop cancer and Alzheimer's disease. NMRs live in a hypoxic environment in underground colonies in East Africa and are highly tolerant of hypoxia. These unique characteristics of NMRs have attracted considerable interest from zoological and biomedical researchers. This review summarizes previous studies of the ecology, hypoxia tolerance, longevity/delayed aging, and cancer resistance of NMRs and discusses possible mechanisms contributing to their healthy aging. In addition, we discuss current issues and future perspectives to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying delayed aging and resistance to age-related diseases in NMRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Masanori Yamakawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; ,
| | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Nobuyuki Kutsukake
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; , .,Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , , .,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Yamamura Y, Kawamura Y, Oka K, Miura K. Carcinogenesis resistance in the longest-lived rodent, the naked mole-rat. Cancer Sci 2022; 113:4030-4036. [PMID: 36083242 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain mammalian species are resistant to cancer, and a better understanding of how this cancer resistance arises could provide valuable insights for basic cancer research. Recent technological innovations in molecular biology have allowed the study of cancer-resistant mammals, despite the fact that they are not the classical model animals, which are easily studied using genetic approaches. Naked mole-rats (NMRs; Heterocephalus glaber) are the longest-lived rodent, with a maximum lifespan of more than 37 years, and almost never show spontaneous carcinogenesis. NMRs are currently attracting much attention from aging and cancer researchers, and published studies on NMR have continued to increase over the past decade. Cancer development occurs via multiple steps and involves many biological processes. Recent research on the NMR as a model for cancer resistance suggests that they possess various unique carcinogenesis-resistance mechanisms, including efficient DNA repair pathways, cell-autonomous resistance to transformation, and dampened inflammatory response. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis resistance in NMR, which have been uncovered over the past two decades, and discuss future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yamamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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