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Schellnegger M, Hofmann E, Carnieletto M, Kamolz LP. Unlocking longevity: the role of telomeres and its targeting interventions. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2024; 5:1339317. [PMID: 38333665 PMCID: PMC10850353 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2024.1339317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Average life expectancy has been steadily increasing in developed countries worldwide. These demographic changes are associated with an ever-growing social and economic strain to healthcare systems as well as society. The aging process typically manifests as a decline in physiological and cognitive functions, accompanied by a rise in chronic diseases. Consequently, strategies that both mitigate age-related diseases and promote healthy aging are urgently needed. Telomere attrition, characterized by the shortening of telomeres with each cell division, paradoxically serves as both a protective mechanism and a contributor to tissue degeneration and age-related ailments. Based on the essential role of telomere biology in aging, research efforts aim to develop approaches designed to counteract telomere attrition, aiming to delay or reduce age-related diseases. In this review, telomere biology and its role in aging and age-related diseases is summarized along with recent approaches to interfere with telomere shortening aiming at well- and healthy-aging as well as longevity. As aging research enters a new era, this review emphasizes telomere-targeting therapeutics, including telomerase activators and tankyrase inhibitors, while also exploring the effects of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agents, along with indirectly related approaches like statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Schellnegger
- Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- COREMED–Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Hofmann
- Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- COREMED–Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria
- Research Unit for Tissue Regeneration, Repair and Reconstruction, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martina Carnieletto
- Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- COREMED–Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria
| | - Lars-Peter Kamolz
- Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- COREMED–Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria
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Nose D, Shiga Y, Takahashi RU, Yamamoto Y, Suematsu Y, Kuwano T, Sugihara M, Kanda M, Tahara H, Miura SI. Association Between Telomere G-Tail Length and Coronary Artery Disease or Statin Treatment in Patients With Cardiovascular Risks - A Cross-Sectional Study. Circ Rep 2023; 5:338-347. [PMID: 37564879 PMCID: PMC10411992 DOI: 10.1253/circrep.cr-23-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The utility of telomere G-tail length to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. CAD results from coronary artery narrowing due to cholesterol and lipid accumulation, augmented by inflammatory cells and other factors. This study explored the significance of telomere G-tail length in suspected CAD patients. Methods and Results: In all, 95 patients with suspected CAD or ≥1 cardiac risk factor underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We measured leukocyte telomere length and G-tail length using a hybrid protection method, and diagnosed the presence of CAD using CCTA. Associations between G-tail length and the presence of CAD, the number of stenosed coronary arteries, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were analyzed. No significant difference was observed in G-tail length when comparing groups with or without CAD or statin treatment. However, in the non-statin group, G-tail length was significantly shorter in patients with 3-vessel disease compared with 1-vessel disease. Dividing the group using a baPWV of 1,300 cm/s, telomere G-tail length was significantly shorter in the high-risk (baPWV ≥1,300 cm/s) group. Conclusions: The clinical utility of telomere G-tail length as a CAD risk indicator seems limited. There was a trend for longer telomere G-tail length in the statin-treated group. Moreover, telomere G-tail length was reduced in patients at high-risk of cardiovascular events, aligning with the trend of a shortening in telomere G-tail length with CAD severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nose
- Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Fukuoka Japan
| | - Yuhei Shiga
- Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Fukuoka Japan
| | - Ryou-U Takahashi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
| | - Yuki Yamamoto
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
| | - Yasunori Suematsu
- Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Fukuoka Japan
| | - Takashi Kuwano
- Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Fukuoka Japan
| | - Makoto Sugihara
- Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Fukuoka Japan
| | - Miyuki Kanda
- Collaborative Laboratory of Liquid Biopsy, Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Tahara
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
- Collaborative Laboratory of Liquid Biopsy, Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, The Research Center for Drug Development and Biomarker Discovery, Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Miura
- Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine Fukuoka Japan
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Zafirovic S, Macvanin M, Stanimirovic J, Obradovic M, Radovanovic J, Melih I, Isenovic E. Association Between Telomere Length and Cardiovascular Risk: Pharmacological Treatments Affecting Telomeres and Telomerase Activity. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2022; 20:465-474. [PMID: 35986545 DOI: 10.2174/1570161120666220819164240] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres represent the ends of chromosomes, and they are composed of an extensive number of - TTAGGG nucleotide sequence repeats in humans. Telomeres prevent chromosome degradation, participate in stabilization, and regulate the DNA repair system. Inflammation and oxidative stress have been identified as important processes causing cardiovascular disease and accelerating telomere shortening rate. This review investigates the link between telomere length and pathological vascular conditions from experimental and human studies. Also, we discuss pharmacological treatments affecting telomeres and telomerase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Zafirovic
- Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana Macvanin
- Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Julijana Stanimirovic
- Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Obradovic
- Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Radovanovic
- Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Irena Melih
- Faculty of Stomatology, Pancevo, University Business Academy, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Esma Isenovic
- Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Huang YC, Wang CY. Telomere Attrition and Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential in Cardiovascular Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9867. [PMID: 34576030 PMCID: PMC8467562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical evidence suggests that conventional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors cannot explain all CVD incidences. Recent studies have shown that telomere attrition, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), and atherosclerosis (telomere-CHIP-atherosclerosis, TCA) evolve to play a crucial role in CVD. Telomere dynamics and telomerase have an important relationship with age-related CVD. Telomere attrition is associated with CHIP. CHIP is commonly observed in elderly patients. It is characterized by an increase in blood cell clones with somatic mutations, resulting in an increased risk of hematological cancer and atherosclerotic CVD. The most common gene mutations are DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A), Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), and additional sex combs-like 1 (ASXL1). Telomeres, CHIP, and atherosclerosis increase chronic inflammation and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Currently, their epidemiology and detailed mechanisms related to the TCA axis remain incompletely understood. In this article, we reviewed recent research results regarding the development of telomeres and CHIP and their relationship with atherosclerotic CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chun Huang
- Division of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan City 33305, Taiwan;
| | - Chao-Yung Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan City 33305, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan 35053, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
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Liu Y, Wang J, Huang Z, Liang J, Xia Q, Xia Q, Liu X. Environmental pollutants exposure: A potential contributor for aging and age-related diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 83:103575. [PMID: 33385577 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are "protective messengers" at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that protect them from degradation, end to end fusion and recombination. Admittedly, telomeres progressively shorten with age that can also be significantly accelerated by pathological conditions, which are often considered as potential contributors for cellular senescence. It is commonly believed that constant accumulation of senescent cells may lead to dysfunctional tissues and organs, thereby accelerating aging process and subsequent occurrence of age-related diseases. In particular, epidemiological data has indicated a significant association between environmental pollutants exposure and a high incidence of age-related diseases. Moreover, there is growing evidence that environmental toxicity has a detrimental impact on telomere length. Overall, a consensus is emerging that environmental pollutants exposure could lead to accelerated telomere erosion and further induce premature senescence, which may be responsible for the acceleration of aging and the high morbidity and mortality rates of age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China; The Grade 3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Jiequan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China; Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China; Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Zhaogang Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China; The Grade 3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China; Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China; Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Qingrong Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China; Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China; Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Quan Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China; The Grade 3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China.
| | - Xinhua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Nudelman KNH, Lin J, Lane KA, Nho K, Kim S, Faber KM, Risacher SL, Foroud TM, Gao S, Davis JW, Weiner MW, Saykin AJ. Telomere Shortening in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Cohort. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 71:33-43. [PMID: 31322561 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although shorter telomeres have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), it is unclear whether longitudinal change in telomere length is associated with AD progression. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of telomere length change with AD diagnosis and progression. METHODS In 653 individuals from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort, T/S ratio (telomere versus single copy gene), a proxy of telomere length, was measured for up to five visits per participant (N = 1918 samples post-QC) using quantitative PCR (qPCR). T/S ratio was adjusted for batch effects and DNA storage time. A mixed effects model was used to evaluate association of telomere length with AD diagnostic group and interaction of age and diagnosis. Another mixed effects model was used to compare T/S ratio changes pre- to post-conversion to MCI or AD to telomere change in participants with stable diagnoses. RESULTS Shorter telomeres were associated with older age (Effect Size (ES) = -0.23) and male sex (ES = -0.26). Neither baseline T/S ratio (ES = -0.036) nor T/S ratio change (ES = 0.046) differed significantly between AD diagnostic groups. MCI/AD converters showed greater, but non-significant, telomere shortening compared to non-converters (ES = -0.186). CONCLUSIONS Although AD compared to controls showed small, non-significant effects for baseline T/S ratio and T/S ratio shortening, we did observe a larger, though still non-significant effect for greater telomere shortening in converters compared to non-converters. Although our results do not support telomere shortening as a robust biomarker of AD progression, further investigation in larger samples and for subgroups of participants may be informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly N H Nudelman
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen A Lane
- Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kwangsik Nho
- Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sungeun Kim
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Electrical and Computer Engineering, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY, USA
| | - Kelley M Faber
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Shannon L Risacher
- Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tatiana M Foroud
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sujuan Gao
- Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Justin W Davis
- Genomics Research Center, AbbVie, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael W Weiner
- Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Radiology, San Francisco VA Medical Center/University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J Saykin
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Yeh JK, Lin MH, Wang CY. Telomeres as Therapeutic Targets in Heart Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 4:855-865. [PMID: 31998853 PMCID: PMC6978555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Age-associated CVDs impose a great burden on current health systems. Despite the fact that current strong evidence supports the links among aging, telomere attrition, and CVDs, there is no clear direction for the development of telomere therapeutics against CVDs. This review focuses on immune modulation, CHIP, pharmaceutical interventions, and gene therapy for their therapeutic roles in age-associated CVDs. The future goal of telomere cardiovascular therapy in young subjects is to prevent senescence and diseases, whereas in older adult subjects, the goal is restoration of cardiovascular functions. Further studies on the telomere-CHIP-atherosclerosis axis may shed insights on how to achieve these 2 different therapeutic targets.
Telomeres are double-stranded repeats of G-rich tandem DNA sequences that gradually shorten with each cell division. Aging, inflammation, and oxidative stress accelerate the process of telomere shortening. Telomerase counteracts this process by maintaining and elongating the telomere length. Patients with atherosclerotic diseases and cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and hypertension) have shorter leukocyte telomere length. Following myocardial infarction, telomerase expression and activity in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells increase significantly, implying that telomerase plays a role in regulating tissue repairs in heart diseases. Although previous studies have focused on the changes of telomeres in heart diseases and the telomere length as a marker for aging cardiovascular systems, recent studies have explored the potential of telomeres and telomerase in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review discusses the significant advancements of telomere therapeutics in gene therapy, atherosclerosis, anti-inflammation, and immune modulation in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jih-Kai Yeh
- Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hsiu Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Yung Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.,Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
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