Rizzo JF, Shah MP, Krasniqi D, Lu YR, Sinclair DA, Ksander BR. The Role of Epigenetics in Accelerated Aging: A Reconsideration of Later-Life Visual Loss After Early Optic Neuropathy.
J Neuroophthalmol 2024;
44:16-21. [PMID:
37938114 DOI:
10.1097/wno.0000000000002041]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In 2005, we reported 3 patients with bilateral optic nerve damage early in life. These patients had stable vision for decades but then experienced significant bilateral vision loss with no obvious cause. Our hypothesis, novel at that time, was that the late decline of vision was due to age-related attrition of retinal ganglion cells superimposed on a reduced neuronal population due to the earlier injury.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
The field of epigenetics provides a new paradigm with which to consider the normal aging process and the impact of neuronal injury, which has been shown to accelerate aging. Late-in-life decline in function after early neuronal injury occurs in multiple sclerosis due to dysregulated inflammation and postpolio syndrome. Recent studies by our group in mice have also demonstrated the possibility of partial reversal of cellular aging and the potential to mitigate anatomical damage after injury and even improve visual function.
RESULTS
The results in mice and nonhuman primates published elsewhere have shown enhanced neuronal survival and visual function after partial epigenetic reprogramming.
CONCLUSIONS
Injury promotes epigenetic aging , and this finding can be observed in several clinically relevant scenarios. An understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms at play opens the opportunity to restore function in the nervous system and elsewhere with cellular rejuvenation therapies. Our earlier cases exemplify how reconsideration of previously established concepts can motivate inquiry of new paradigms.
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