1
|
Perkins RK, Lavin KM, Raue U, Jemiolo B, Trappe SW, Trappe TA. Effects of aging and lifelong aerobic exercise on expression of innate immune components in skeletal muscle of women. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2024; 136:482-491. [PMID: 38205547 PMCID: PMC11212804 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00444.2023] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined the effects of aging and lifelong aerobic exercise on innate immune system components in the skeletal muscle of healthy women in the basal state and after an unaccustomed resistance exercise (RE) challenge. We also made exploratory between-sex comparisons with our previous report on men. Three groups of women were studied: young exercisers (YE, n = 10, 25 ± 1 yr, V̇o2max: 44 ± 2 mL/kg/min), lifelong aerobic exercisers with a 48 ± 2 yr training history (LLE, n = 7, 72 ± 2 yr, V̇o2max: 26 ± 2 mL/kg/min), and old healthy nonexercisers (OH, n = 10, 75 ± 1 yr, V̇o2max: 18 ± 1 mL/kg/min). Ten Toll-like receptors (TLRs)1-10, TLR adaptors (Myd88, TRIF), and NF-κB pathway components (IκBα, IKKβ) were assessed at the mRNA level in vastus lateralis biopsies before and 4 h after RE [3×10 repetitions, 70% 1-repetition maximum (1RM)]. Basal TLR1-10 expression was minimally influenced by age or LLE in women (TLR9 only; OH > YE, +43%, P < 0.05; OH > LLE, +30%, P < 0.10) and was on average 24% higher in women versus men. Similarly, basal adaptor expression was not influenced (P > 0.05) by age or LLE in women but was on average 26% higher (myeloid differentiation primary response 88, Myd88) and 23% lower [Toll interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-containing adaptor-inducing interferon-γ, TRIF] in women versus men. RE-induced changes in women, independent of the group, in TLR3, TLR4, TLR6 (∼2.1-fold, P < 0.05), Myd88 (∼1.2-fold, P < 0.10), and IκBα (∼0.3-fold, P < 0.05). Although there were some similar RE responses in men (TLR4: 2.1-fold, Myd88: 1.2-fold, IκBα: 0.4-fold), several components responded only in men to RE (TLR1, TLR8, TRIF, and IKKβ). Our findings support the sexual dimorphism of immunity, with women having greater basal skeletal muscle TLR expression and differential response to unaccustomed exercise than men.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We recently reported that aging increases basal expression of many Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in men and lifelong aerobic exercise does not prevent this effect. In addition, a resistance exercise (RE) challenge increased the expression of many TLRs. Here we show that basal TLR expression is minimally influenced by aging in women and findings support the sexual dimorphism of immunity, with women having greater basal skeletal muscle TLR expression and a differential response to unaccustomed exercise than men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K Perkins
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
| | - Kaleen M Lavin
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
| | - Ulrika Raue
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
| | - Bozena Jemiolo
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
| | - Scott W Trappe
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
| | - Todd A Trappe
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Montaño Mendoza VM, Mendez Cortina YA, Rodríguez-Perea AL, Fernandez GJ, Rugeles MT, Velilla Hernandez PA, Cardona Maya WD. Biological sex and age-related differences shape the antiviral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13045. [PMID: 36685472 PMCID: PMC9847338 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13045] [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: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
For the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, clinical manifestations are broad and highly heterogeneous for both sexes. We aimed to determine how biological sex and age impact immune gene expression, particularly influencing the humoral neutralizing antibody (NAb) response and the cytokine production in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subjects. The immune gene expression, according to biological sex and age, was assessed using the genome wide expression profile of blood proteins from healthy individuals using the Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) database. Moreover, anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers and cytokine levels were determined in blood samples from 141 COVID-19 individuals from Medellín, Colombia. Among subjects with COVID-19, males had statistically significantly higher median NAb titers and serum concentrations of interleukin-6 and CC chemokine ligand 3 than females. Overall, our findings point out a more robust innate immune response in women that could help recognize and restrain the virus faster than in men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Geysson Javier Fernandez
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia - UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - María Teresa Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia - UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Walter D. Cardona Maya
- Grupo Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia - UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Palacios-Pedrero MÁ, Osterhaus ADME, Becker T, Elbahesh H, Rimmelzwaan GF, Saletti G. Aging and Options to Halt Declining Immunity to Virus Infections. Front Immunol 2021; 12:681449. [PMID: 34054872 PMCID: PMC8149791 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.681449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosenescence is a process associated with aging that leads to dysregulation of cells of innate and adaptive immunity, which may become dysfunctional. Consequently, older adults show increased severity of viral and bacterial infections and impaired responses to vaccinations. A better understanding of the process of immunosenescence will aid the development of novel strategies to boost the immune system in older adults. In this review, we focus on major alterations of the immune system triggered by aging, and address the effect of chronic viral infections, effectiveness of vaccination of older adults and strategies to improve immune function in this vulnerable age group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Albert D M E Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tanja Becker
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Husni Elbahesh
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guus F Rimmelzwaan
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Giulietta Saletti
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bang M, Gonzales EL, Shin CY, Kwon KJ. Late Passage Cultivation Induces Aged Astrocyte Phenotypes in Rat Primary Cultured Cells. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2021; 29:144-153. [PMID: 33262320 PMCID: PMC7921865 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2020.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play various important roles such as maintaining brain homeostasis, supporting neurons, and secreting inflammatory mediators to protect the brain cells. In aged subjects, astrocytes show diversely changed phenotypes and dysfunctions. But, the study of aged astrocytes or astrocytes from aged subjects is not yet sufficient to provide a comprehensive understanding of their important processes in the regulation of brain function. In this study, we induced an in vitro aged astrocyte model through late passage cultivation of rat primary cultured astrocytes. Astrocytes were cultured until passage 7 (P7) as late passage astrocytes and compared with passage 1 (P1) astrocytes as early passage astrocytes to confirm the differences in phenotypes and the effects of serial passage. In this study, we confirmed the morphological, molecular, and functional changes of late passage astrocytes showing aging phenotypes through SA-β-gal staining and measurement of nuclear size. We also observed a reduced expression of inflammatory mediators including IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, iNOS, and COX2, as well as dysregulation of wound-healing, phagocytosis, and mitochondrial functions such as mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate. Culture-conditioned media obtained from P1 astrocytes promoted neurite outgrowth in immature primary cultures of rat cortices, which is significantly reduced when we treated the immature neurons with the culture media obtained from P7 astrocytes. These results suggest that late passage astrocytes show senescent astrocyte phenotypes with functional defects, which makes it a suitable model for the study of the role of astrocyte senescence on the modulation of normal and pathological brain aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minji Bang
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Edson Luck Gonzales
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Ja Kwon
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gabriel RA, Trivedi S, Schmidt UH. A Point-Based Risk Calculator Predicting Mortality in Patients That Developed Postoperative Sepsis. J Intensive Care Med 2020; 36:1443-1449. [DOI: 10.1177/0885066620960991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Predicting the mortality from post-operative sepsis remains a continuing problem. We built a statistical model using national data to predict mortality in patients who developed post-operative sepsis. Methods: This is a retrospective study using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Surgical Improvement Program database, in which we gathered data from adult patients between 2011 and 2016 who experienced postoperative sepsis. We designed a predictive model using multivariable logistic regression on a training set and validated the model on a separate test set. Results: There were 128,325 patients included in the final dataset, in which 18,499 (14.4%) died within 30-days of surgery. The model consisted of 10 covariates: American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification score, preoperative sepsis, age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, postoperative myocardial infarction, postoperative stroke, postoperative acute renal failure, transfusion requirement, and infection type. A point-based risk calculator was developed, which had an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.819 (95% confidence interval 0.814-0.823). Conclusion: Although further work is needed to confirm and validate our model on external datasets, our scoring system provides a novel way to measure mortality in septic post-operative patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodney A. Gabriel
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Suraj Trivedi
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ulrich H. Schmidt
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Perkins RK, Lavin KM, Raue U, Jemiolo B, Trappe SW, Trappe TA. Effects of aging and lifelong aerobic exercise on expression of innate immune components in human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2020; 129:1483-1492. [PMID: 32969782 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00615.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of aging and lifelong exercise on skeletal muscle components of the innate immune system. Additionally, the effects of an acute resistance exercise (RE) challenge were explored. Three groups of men were studied: young exercisers (YE: n = 10, 25 ± 1 yr; V̇o2max: 53 ± 3 mL/kg/min; quadriceps size: 78 ± 3 cm2), lifelong aerobic exercisers with a 53 ± 1 yr training history (LLE; n = 21, 74 ± 1 yr; V̇o2max: 34 ± 1 mL/kg/min; quadriceps size: 67 ± 2 cm2), and old healthy nonexercisers (OH: n = 10, 75 ± 1 yr; V̇o2max: 22 ± 1 mL/kg/min, quadriceps size: 56 ± 3 cm2). Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained in the basal state and 4 h after RE (3 × 10 reps, 70% of 1 repetition maximum) to assess Toll-like receptors (TLR)1-10, TLR adaptors (Myd88 and TRIF), and NF-κB pathway components (IκΒα and IKKβ) mRNA expression. Basal TLR3, TLR6, and TLR7 tended to be higher (P ≤ 0.10) with aging (LLE and OH combined). In general, RE increased expression of TLR1 and TLR8 (P ≤ 0.10) and TLR3 and TLR4 (P < 0.05), although TLR3 did not respond in OH. Both TLR adaptors also responded to the exercise bout; these were primarily (Myd88, main effect P ≤ 0.10) or exclusively (TRIF, P < 0.05) driven by the OH group. In summary, aging appears to increase basal expression of some innate immune components in human skeletal muscle, and lifelong aerobic exercise does not affect this age-related increase. An exercise challenge stimulates the expression of several TLRs, while the TLR adaptor response appears to be dysregulated with aging and maintained with lifelong exercise. Partially preserved muscle mass, coupled with a notable immunity profile, suggests lifelong exercisers are likely better prepared for a stress that challenges the immune system.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Findings from this investigation provide novel insight into the effect of aging and lifelong aerobic exercise on structural components of the innate immune system in skeletal muscle of humans. Data presented here suggest aging increases basal expression of select Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and lifelong exercise does not impact this age-related increase. Additionally, acute exercise stimulates gene expression of several TLRs, while the adaptor response is likely dysregulated with aging and maintained with lifelong exercise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K Perkins
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
| | - Kaleen M Lavin
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
| | - Ulrika Raue
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
| | - Bozena Jemiolo
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
| | - Scott W Trappe
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
| | - Todd A Trappe
- Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Human microbiome investigations now provide evidence that changes in the microbiome over time and their interaction with the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems are associated with a wide array of disorders. Human immunological studies typically absent a microbiome consideration in their investigations. An area of recent exploration is the role of the microbiome as a critical partner in the development and function of the human immune system in aging. It is well known that immunologic maturation is influenced by a lifetime of interactions of the host with its companion microbiome. It is generally not well recognized that intestinal microbes play an essential role in the development and expansion of gut mucosal and systemic immune function. Gut microbial communities of elderly people have different composition and behavior compared to healthy younger adults. Comorbidities associated with microbial pathogens and an aberrant immune system tend to increase with aging. This review underscores the impact of the human-microbiome interface on the development and function of the immune system and on immunosenescence. These changes have important implications regarding health and health system utilization in the elderly population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Amsterdam
- a Service Laboratory Medicine, ECMC, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology and Medicine , Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences , Buffalo , NY
| | - Barbara E Ostrov
- b Pediatric Rheumatology and Rheumatology, Pediatrics and Medicine , Penn State College of Medicine , Hershey , PA , USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhavoronkov A, Mamoshina P, Vanhaelen Q, Scheibye-Knudsen M, Moskalev A, Aliper A. Artificial intelligence for aging and longevity research: Recent advances and perspectives. Ageing Res Rev 2019; 49:49-66. [PMID: 30472217 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The applications of modern artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms within the field of aging research offer tremendous opportunities. Aging is an almost universal unifying feature possessed by all living organisms, tissues, and cells. Modern deep learning techniques used to develop age predictors offer new possibilities for formerly incompatible dynamic and static data types. AI biomarkers of aging enable a holistic view of biological processes and allow for novel methods for building causal models-extracting the most important features and identifying biological targets and mechanisms. Recent developments in generative adversarial networks (GANs) and reinforcement learning (RL) permit the generation of diverse synthetic molecular and patient data, identification of novel biological targets, and generation of novel molecular compounds with desired properties and geroprotectors. These novel techniques can be combined into a unified, seamless end-to-end biomarker development, target identification, drug discovery and real world evidence pipeline that may help accelerate and improve pharmaceutical research and development practices. Modern AI is therefore expected to contribute to the credibility and prominence of longevity biotechnology in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, and to the convergence of countless areas of research.
Collapse
|
9
|
Fuentes E, Fuentes M, Alarcón M, Palomo I. Immune System Dysfunction in the Elderly. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2018; 89:285-299. [PMID: 28423084 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human aging is characterized by both physical and physiological frailty that profoundly affects the immune system. In this context aging is associated with declines in adaptive and innate immunity established as immunosenescence. Immunosenescence is a new concept that reflects the age-associated restructuring changes of innate and adaptive immune functions. Thus elderly individuals usually present chronic low-level inflammation, higher infection rates and chronic diseases. A study of alterations in the immune system during aging could provide a potentially useful biomarker for the evaluation of immune senescence treatment. The immune system is the result of the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity, yet the impact of aging on this function is unclear. In this article the function of the immune system during aging is explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Fuentes
- Platelet Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunohematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary Excellence Research Program on Healthy Aging/ PIEI-ES, Universidad de Talca, Postal Code 3460000, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile.,Núcleo Científico Multidisciplinario, Universidad de Talca, Postal Code 3460000, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile
| | - Manuel Fuentes
- Platelet Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunohematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary Excellence Research Program on Healthy Aging/ PIEI-ES, Universidad de Talca, Postal Code 3460000, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile
| | - Marcelo Alarcón
- Platelet Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunohematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary Excellence Research Program on Healthy Aging/ PIEI-ES, Universidad de Talca, Postal Code 3460000, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile
| | - Iván Palomo
- Platelet Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunohematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary Excellence Research Program on Healthy Aging/ PIEI-ES, Universidad de Talca, Postal Code 3460000, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Häsler R, Sheibani-Tezerji R, Sinha A, Barann M, Rehman A, Esser D, Aden K, Knecht C, Brandt B, Nikolaus S, Schäuble S, Kaleta C, Franke A, Fretter C, Müller W, Hütt MT, Krawczak M, Schreiber S, Rosenstiel P. Uncoupling of mucosal gene regulation, mRNA splicing and adherent microbiota signatures in inflammatory bowel disease. Gut 2017; 66:2087-2097. [PMID: 27694142 PMCID: PMC5749366 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-311651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An inadequate host response to the intestinal microbiota likely contributes to the manifestation and progression of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, molecular approaches to unravelling the nature of the defective crosstalk and its consequences for intestinal metabolic and immunological networks are lacking. We assessed the mucosal transcript levels, splicing architecture and mucosa-attached microbial communities of patients with IBD to obtain a comprehensive view of the underlying, hitherto poorly characterised interactions, and how these are altered in IBD. DESIGN Mucosal biopsies from Crohn's disease and patients with UC, disease controls and healthy individuals (n=63) were subjected to microbiome, transcriptome and splicing analysis, employing next-generation sequencing. The three data levels were integrated by different bioinformatic approaches, including systems biology-inspired network and pathway analysis. RESULTS Microbiota, host transcript levels and host splicing patterns were influenced most strongly by tissue differences, followed by the effect of inflammation. Both factors point towards a substantial disease-related alteration of metabolic processes. We also observed a strong enrichment of splicing events in inflamed tissues, accompanied by an alteration of the mucosa-attached bacterial taxa. Finally, we noted a striking uncoupling of the three molecular entities when moving from healthy individuals via disease controls to patients with IBD. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide strong evidence that the interplay between microbiome and host transcriptome, which normally characterises a state of intestinal homeostasis, is drastically perturbed in Crohn's disease and UC. Consequently, integrating multiple OMICs levels appears to be a promising approach to further disentangle the complexity of IBD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Häsler
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Anupam Sinha
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Barann
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ateequr Rehman
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Daniela Esser
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Konrad Aden
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Carolin Knecht
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Berenice Brandt
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Susanna Nikolaus
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sascha Schäuble
- Language and Information Engineering Lab, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christoph Kaleta
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christoph Fretter
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany
| | - Werner Müller
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Marc-Thorsten Hütt
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Krawczak
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Schreiber
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany,Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Mechanisms that contribute to healthy aging remain obscure. In a recent issue of Nature Medicine, Furman et al. (2017) describe that dietary caffeine inhibits the NLRC4 inflammasome, which is associated with disease-free aging.
Collapse
|
12
|
Mortzfeld BM, Bosch TCG. Eco-Aging: stem cells and microbes are controlled by aging antagonist FoxO. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 38:181-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|
13
|
Patel BA, Fidalgo S, Wang C, Parmar L, Mandona K, Panossian A, Flint MS, Ranson RN, Saffrey MJ, Yeoman MS. The TNF-α antagonist etanercept reverses age-related decreases in colonic SERT expression and faecal output in mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42754. [PMID: 28198447 DOI: 10.1038/srep42754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment for chronic constipation in older people is challenging and the condition has a major impact on quality of life. A lack of understanding about the causes of this condition has hampered the development of effective treatments. 5-HT is an important pro-kinetic agent in the colon. We examined whether alterations in colonic 5-HT signalling underlie age-related changes in faecal output in mice and whether these changes were due to an increase in TNF-α. Components of the 5-HT signalling system (5-HT, 5-HIAA, SERT) and TNF-α expression were examined in the distal colon of 3, 12, 18 and 24-month old mice and faecal output and water content monitored under control conditions and following the administration of etanercept (TNF-α inhibitor; 1 mg Kg-1). Faecal output and water content were reduced in aged animals. Age increased mucosal 5-HT availability and TNF-α expression and decreased mucosal SERT expression and 5-HIAA. Etanercept treatment of old mice reversed these changes, suggesting that age-related changes in TNFα expression are an important regulator of mucosal 5-HT signalling and pellet output and water content in old mice. These data point to "anti-TNFα" drugs as potential treatments for age-related chronic constipation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bhavik Anil Patel
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Sara Fidalgo
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Chunfang Wang
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Leena Parmar
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Kasonde Mandona
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Annabelle Panossian
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Melanie S Flint
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Richard N Ranson
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - M Jill Saffrey
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Mark S Yeoman
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Si YC, Miao WN, He JY, Wang XF, Wang YL, Ding WJ. Intricate interactions of obesity, intestinal flora and Toll-like receptors. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2016; 24:2361-2367. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v24.i15.2361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapidly increasing incidence of obesity has resulted in a severe public problem globally. Obesity is associated with subclinical inflammation, causing elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, as well as disorders of the immune function, which are involved in the dysfunction of intestinal flora. Intestinal flora maintains a dynamic equilibrium with intestinal mucosal immunity. Obesity-related inflammation is mainly trigged by endoplasmic reticulum stress, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation and changes of gut flora. Among them, TLR4 plays a central role in sensing intestinal pathogens and inducing mucosal immunity. On the other hand, metabolism, genetics, gut flora and immune state are integrally regulating the TLR function. In the present paper we explore the intricate interactions of obesity, intestinal flora and TLRs, in order to find novel targets for the treatment of obesity.
Collapse
|
15
|
Boehm AM, Rosenstiel P, Bosch TCG. Stem cells and aging from a quasi-immortal point of view. Bioessays 2013; 35:994-1003. [PMID: 24037777 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201300075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding aging and how it affects an organism's lifespan is a fundamental problem in biology. A hallmark of aging is stem cell senescence, the decline of functionality, and number of somatic stem cells, resulting in an impaired regenerative capacity and reduced tissue function. In addition, aging is characterized by profound remodeling of the immune system and a quantitative decline of adequate immune responses, a phenomenon referred to as immune-senescence. Yet, what is causing stem cell and immune-senescence? This review discusses experimental studies of potentially immortal Hydra which have made contributions to answering this question. Hydra transcription factor FoxO has been shown to modulate both stem cell proliferation and innate immunity, lending strong support to a role of FoxO as critical rate-of-aging regulator from Hydra to human. Constructing a model of how FoxO responds to diverse environmental factors provides a framework for how stem cell factors might contribute to aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Marei Boehm
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Salminen A, Ojala J, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress activate inflammasomes: impact on the aging process and age-related diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:2999-3013. [PMID: 22446749 PMCID: PMC11114788 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-0962-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation are the hallmarks of the aging process and are even more enhanced in many age-related degenerative diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress can provoke and potentiate inflammatory responses, but the mechanism has remained elusive. Recent studies indicate that oxidative stress can induce the assembly of multiprotein inflammatory complexes called the inflammasomes. Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is the major immune sensor for cellular stress signals, e.g., reactive oxygen species, ceramides, and cathepsin B. NLRP3 activation triggers the caspase-1-mediated maturation of the precursors of IL-1β and IL-18 cytokines. During aging, the autophagic clearance of mitochondria declines and dysfunctional mitochondria provoke chronic oxidative stress, which disturbs the cellular redox balance. Moreover, increased NF-κB signaling observed during aging could potentiate the expression of NLRP3 and cytokine proforms enhancing the priming of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Recent studies have demonstrated that NLRP3 activation is associated with several age-related diseases, e.g., the metabolic syndrome. We will review here the emerging field of inflammasomes in the appearance of the proinflammatory phenotype during the aging process and in age-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
ElSharawy A, Keller A, Flachsbart F, Wendschlag A, Jacobs G, Kefer N, Brefort T, Leidinger P, Backes C, Meese E, Schreiber S, Rosenstiel P, Franke A, Nebel A. Genome-wide miRNA signatures of human longevity. Aging Cell 2012; 11:607-16. [PMID: 22533606 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2012.00824.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the functions of miRNAs in human longevity. Here, we present the first genome-wide miRNA study in long-lived individuals (LLI) who are considered a model for healthy aging. Using a microarray with 863 miRNAs, we compared the expression profiles obtained from blood samples of 15 centenarians and nonagenarians (mean age 96.4 years) with those of 55 younger individuals (mean age 45.9 years). Eighty miRNAs showed aging-associated expression changes, with 16 miRNAs being up-regulated and 64 down-regulated in the LLI relative to the younger probands. Seven of the eight selected aging-related biomarkers were technically validated using quantitative RT-PCR, confirming the microarray data. Three of the eight miRNAs were further investigated in independent samples of 15 LLI and 17 younger participants (mean age 101.5 and 36.9 years, respectively). Our screening confirmed previously published miRNAs of human aging, thus reflecting the utility of the applied approach. The hierarchical clustering analysis of the miRNA microarray expression data revealed a distinct separation between the LLI and the younger controls (P-value < 10(-5) ). The down-regulated miRNAs appeared as a cluster and were more often reported in the context of diseases than the up-regulated miRNAs. Moreover, many of the differentially regulated miRNAs are known to exhibit contrasting expression patterns in major age-related diseases. Further in silico analyses showed enrichment of potential targets of the down-regulated miRNAs in p53 and other cancer pathways. Altogether, synchronized miRNA-p53 activities could be involved in the prevention of tumorigenesis and the maintenance of genomic integrity during aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdou ElSharawy
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Schittenhelmstraße 12, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Deep sequencing-based expression transcriptional profiling changes during Brucella infection. Microb Pathog 2012; 52:267-77. [PMID: 22342430 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2012.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2011] [Revised: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease that has significant economic effects on animal production and human health. The host macrophage -Brucella interaction is critical to the establishment of infections. Thus, the kinetic transcriptional profile of gene expression in macrophages infected with the Brucella melitensis strain 16M was investigated in the current study using a technology based on deep sequencing. The total RNA was extracted from macrophages 0, 4, and 24 h post-infection. Data analysis showed that in the gene ontology term, the expression of genes in the endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, as well as those involved in programmed cell death and apoptosis significantly changed during the first 24 h post-infection. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the genes in the apoptosis pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, lysosome pathway, p53 signaling pathway, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum significantly changed during the first 24 h post-infection. The B-cell receptor and toll-like receptor signaling pathways were also significantly changed 24 h post-infection compared with those 4 h post-infection. The results of the current study can contribute to an improved understanding of the manner by which host cell responses may be manipulated to prevent Brucella infection.
Collapse
|
19
|
Qian F, Wang X, Zhang L, Chen S, Piecychna M, Allore H, Bockenstedt L, Malawista S, Bucala R, Shaw AC, Fikrig E, Montgomery RR. Age-associated elevation in TLR5 leads to increased inflammatory responses in the elderly. Aging Cell 2012; 11:104-10. [PMID: 22023165 PMCID: PMC3257374 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2011.00759.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is accompanied by a progressive decline in immune function. Studies have shown age-related decreases in the expression and signaling efficiency of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in monocytes and dendritic cells and dysregulation of macrophage TLR3. Using a multivariable mixed effect model, we report a highly significant increase in TLR5-induced production of IL-8 from monocytes of older individuals (P < 0.0001). Elevated IL-8 is accompanied by increased expression of TLR5, both protein and mRNA, and by increased levels of TLR5-mediated phosphorylation of MAPK p38 and ERK. We noted incomplete activation of NF-κB in response to TLR5 signaling in monocytes of elderly donors, as reflected by the absence of an associated increase in the production of TNF-α. Elevated TLR5 may provide a critical mechanism to enhance immune responsiveness in older individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Albert C. Shaw
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Cellular senescence: a link between cancer and age-related degenerative disease? Semin Cancer Biol 2011; 21:354-9. [PMID: 21925603 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2011.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 09/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is an established cellular stress response that acts primarily to prevent the proliferation of cells that experience potentially oncogenic stress. In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that the senescence response is a complex phenotype, which has a variety of cell non-autonomous effects. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype, or SASP, entails the secretion of numerous cytokines, growth factors and proteases. The SASP can have beneficial or detrimental effects, depending on the physiological context. One recently described beneficial effect is to aid tissue repair. Among the detrimental effects, the SASP can disrupt normal tissue structures and function, and, ironically, can promote malignant phenotypes in nearby cells. These detrimental effects in many ways recapitulate the degenerative and hyperplastic pathologies that develop during aging. Because the SASP is largely a response to genomic or epigenomic damage, we suggest it may be a model for a cellular damage response that can propagate damage signals both within and among tissues. We propose that both the degenerative and hyperplastic diseases of aging may be fueled by such damage signals.
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
SummaryAgeing is associated with multiple changes in many different components of the immune system. A healthy immune system exists in a state of balance between efficient effector responses against pathogens and tolerance to self antigens. This balance is changed with age; functions such as antigen recognition, phagocytosis, antigen presentation, chemotaxis, cytokine secretion and killing ability are all compromised. Aberrant cellular responses lead to an altered cytokine network with increases in inflammatory cytokines and decreases in anti-inflammatory cytokines leading to a pro-inflammatory state. Consequently older patients require extra care in diagnosis of infections as symptoms may be perturbed, resulting in unusual presentations of common conditions. The defects in immunity due to immunosenescence also mean that older patients require more care and screening than other patients in the same disease cohort. Though it is generally understood by clinicians that older patients are more at risk from multiple infections, the wider clinical effects of immunosenescence are less understood. The immune system is involved in several neurodegenerative conditions and the inflammatory conditions of immunosenescence may be a key factor in pathogenesis. Similarly, there is reason to believe that immunosenescence might be a key factor explaining the increased incidence of cancer in older age. With increasing understanding of the immune system's involvement in many of these pathological processes, and the contribution that immunosenescence makes to these, more efficient vaccines and novel therapies may be developed to prevent/treat these conditions.
Collapse
|
22
|
Panda A, Qian F, Mohanty S, van Duin D, Newman FK, Zhang L, Chen S, Towle V, Belshe RB, Fikrig E, Allore HG, Montgomery RR, Shaw AC. Age-associated decrease in TLR function in primary human dendritic cells predicts influenza vaccine response. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:2518-27. [PMID: 20100933 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 389] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated TLR function in primary human dendritic cells (DCs) from 104 young (age 21-30 y) and older (> or =65 y) individuals. We used multicolor flow cytometry and intracellular cytokine staining of myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and found substantial decreases in older compared with young individuals in TNF-alpha, IL-6, and/or IL-12 (p40) production in mDCs and in TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha production in pDCs in response to TLR1/2, TLR2/6, TLR3, TLR5, and TLR8 engagement in mDCs and TLR7 and TLR9 in pDCs. These differences were highly significant after adjustment for heterogeneity between young and older groups (e.g., gender, race, body mass index, number of comorbid medical conditions) using mixed-effect statistical modeling. Studies of surface and intracellular expression of TLR proteins and of TLR gene expression in purified mDCs and pDCs revealed potential contributions for both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms in these age-associated effects. Moreover, intracellular cytokine production in the absence of TLR ligand stimulation was elevated in cells from older compared with young individuals, suggesting a dysregulation of cytokine production that may limit further activation by TLR engagement. Our results provide evidence for immunosenescence in DCs; notably, defects in cytokine production were strongly associated with poor Ab response to influenza immunization, a functional consequence of impaired TLR function in the aging innate immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Panda
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Stout-Delgado H, Du W, Shirali A, Booth CJ, Goldstein DR. Aging promotes neutrophil-induced mortality by augmenting IL-17 production during viral infection. Cell Host Microbe 2009; 6:446-56. [PMID: 19917499 PMCID: PMC2779161 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2009.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2009] [Revised: 08/14/2009] [Accepted: 09/30/2009] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality associated with viral infections increase with age, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigated whether aging alters inflammatory responses during systemic viral infection and thereby contributes to virus-induced death. We found that infection of aged mice with systemic herpes viruses led to rapid increases in serum IL-17, neutrophil activation, and mortality due to hepatocyte necrosis. In contrast, all young mice survived infection, displaying weaker IL-17 induction and neutrophil activation. Natural killer T (NKT) cells isolated from the livers of aged mice produced more IL-17 than did young cells, and adoptively transferred aged NKT cells induced liver injury in young mice impaired in viral control. Importantly, IL-17 neutralization or neutrophil depletion during viral infection reduced liver damage and prevented death of aged mice. These results demonstrate that, during systemic viral infection, aging alters the host-pathogen interaction to overproduce IL-17, contributing to liver injury and death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Stout-Delgado
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8018, USA
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8018, USA
| | - Anushree Shirali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8018, USA
| | - Carmen J. Booth
- Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8018, USA
| | - Daniel R. Goldstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8018, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Häsler R, Begun A, Freitag-Wolf S, Kerick M, Mah N, Zvirbliene A, Spehlmann ME, von Wurmb-Schwark N, Kupcinskas L, Rosenstiel P, Schreiber S. Genetic control of global gene expression levels in the intestinal mucosa: a human twin study. Physiol Genomics 2009; 38:73-9. [DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00010.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic variation between individuals, such as different mRNA expression levels, is influenced by genetic and nongenetic factors. Although several studies have addressed the interplay between genotypes and expression profiles in various model organisms in the recent years, the detailed and relative contributions of genetic and nongenetic factors in regulating plasticity of gene expression in barrier organs (e.g., skin, gut), which are exposed to continuous environmental challenge, are still poorly understood. Here we systematically monitored the level of genetic control over genomewide mRNA expression profiles in the healthy intestinal mucosa of 10 monozygotic and 10 dizygotic human twin pairs with microarray analyses. Our results, which are supported by real-time PCR and analysis of molecular phylogenetic conservation, indicate that genes associated with energy metabolism and cell and tissue regeneration pathways are under strong genetic control. Conversely, genes associated with immune response seem to be mainly controlled by exogenous factors. Further insights into the relative extent of genetic and nongenetic determinants of transcriptomal profiles and their influence on physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms are crucial to understanding the key role played by gene-environment interactions in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Häsler
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB), Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexander Begun
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sandra Freitag-Wolf
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Kerick
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB), Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nancy Mah
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB), Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Aida Zvirbliene
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Martina E. Spehlmann
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB), Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Limas Kupcinskas
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB), Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Schreiber
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB), Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|