Prematurely aging female mice improve their behavioural response, immunity, redox state, and lifespan after a short social interaction with non-prematurely aging mice

Prodromic Inflammatory-Oxidative Stress in Peritoneal Leukocytes of Triple-Transgenic Mice for Alzheimer's Disease

Inflammatory-oxidative stress is known to be pivotal in the pathobiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the involvement of this stress at the peripheral level in the disease's onset has been scarcely studied. This study investigated the pro-inflammatory profile and oxidative stress parameters in peritoneal leukocytes from female triple-transgenic mice for AD (3xTgAD) and non-transgenic mice (NTg). Peritoneal leukocytes were obtained at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 15 months of age. The concentrations of TNFα, INFγ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-10 released in cultures without stimuli and mitogen concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide presence were measured. The concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), lipid peroxidation, and Hsp70 were also analyzed in the peritoneal cells. Our results showed that although there was a lower release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by 3xTgAD mice, this response was uncontrolled and overstimulated, especially at a prodromal stage at 2 months of age. In addition, there were lower concentrations of GSH in leukocytes from 3xTgAD and higher amounts of lipid peroxides at 2 and 4 months, as well as, at 6 months, a lower concentration of Hsp70. In conclusion, 3xTgAD mice show a worse pro-inflammatory response and higher oxidative stress than NTg mice during the prodromal stages, potentially supporting the idea that Alzheimer's disease could be a consequence of peripheral alteration in the leukocyte inflammation-oxidation state.

Application of mesenchymal stem cells for anti-senescence and clinical challenges

Senescence is a hot topic nowadays, which shows the accumulation of senescent cells and inflammatory factors, leading to the occurrence of various senescence-related diseases. Although some methods have been identified to partly delay senescence, such as strengthening exercise, restricting diet, and some drugs, these only slow down the process of senescence and cannot fundamentally delay or even reverse senescence. Stem cell-based therapy is expected to be a potential effective way to alleviate or cure senescence-related disorders in the coming future. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are the most widely used cell type in treating various diseases due to their potentials of self-replication and multidirectional differentiation, paracrine action, and immunoregulatory effects. Some biological characteristics of MSCs can be well targeted at the pathological features of aging. Therefore, MSC-based therapy is also a promising strategy to combat senescence-related diseases. Here we review the recent progresses of MSC-based therapies in the research of age-related diseases and the challenges in clinical application, proving further insight and reference for broad application prospects of MSCs in effectively combating senesce in the future.

[Touch, a crucial sense in social interactions to improve homeostasis in aging and promote healthy longevity]

Aging is associated with the generalized deterioration of the organism, being of great relevance experienced by homeostatic systems such as the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, which increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Among the lifestyle strategies that have been researched to improve these systems and achieve greater healthy longevity, this review will focus on the social environment. In order to verify the effectiveness of these both in the improvement of homeostasis and in life expectancy, the research carried out with experimental animals that have allowed this to be done will be discussed. In addition, as it has been observed that physical contact is crucial for the positive outcomes of social interaction on homeostatic systems and longevity to occur, we will focus on that mechanism, as well as some of the possible molecular pathways underlying the effects found.

Skin-to-Skin Contact: Crucial for Improving Behavior, Immunity, and Redox State after Short Cohabitation of Chronologically Old Mice and Prematurely Aging Mice with Adult Mice

(1) Background: Aging is characterized by a deterioration of the homeostatic systems, namely the nervous and immune systems. The rate of aging can be modified by lifestyle factors such as social interactions. Recently, improvements in behavior, immune function, and oxidative state were observed in adult prematurely aging mice (PAM) and chronologically old mice after cohabitation with exceptional non-PAM (E-NPAM) and adult mice, respectively, for 2 months. However, the cause of this positive effect is not known. The objective of the present work was to study whether skin-to-skin contact promotes these improvements both in chronologically old mice and in adult PAM. (2) Methods: Old and adult CD1 female mice were used as well as adult PAM and E-NPAM. After cohabitation for 15 min/day for 2 months (two old mice or PAM with five adult mice or E-NPAM, respectively, with both non- and skin-to-skin contact), several behavioral tests were performed and functions and oxidative stress parameters in peritoneal leukocytes were analyzed. (3) Results: This social interaction improved behavioral responses, immune functions, redox state, and longevity, but only if the animals had skin-to-skin contact. (4) Conclusions: Physical contact seems to be crucial to experiencing the positive effects of social interaction.