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Romero-Haro AÁ, Mulder E, Haussmann MF, Tschirren B. The association between age and telomere length is age-dependent: Evidence for a threshold model of telomere length maintenance. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:338-344. [PMID: 38258326 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Telomere length and dynamics are commonly used biomarkers of somatic state, yet the role of telomeres underlying the aging process is still debated. Indeed, to date, empirical evidence for an association between age and telomere length is mixed. Here, we test if the age-dependency of the association between age and telomere length can provide a potential explanation for the reported inconsistencies across studies. To this end, we quantified telomere length by telomere restriction fragment analysis in two groups of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) that differed in their age distribution. One group consisted of young adults only, whereas the second group consisted of adults across a wide range of ages. In the young adults group, there was a highly significant negative association between telomere length and age, whereas no association between age and telomere length was found in the all-ages adults group. This difference between groups was not due to telomere length-dependent selective disappearance. Our results shows that the association between telomere length and age is age-dependent and suggest that the costs and benefits associated with telomere maintenance are dynamic across an individual's life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Á Romero-Haro
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Ellis Mulder
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark F Haussmann
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Barbara Tschirren
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
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2
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Wang D, Li C, Zhang X, Li Y, He J, Guo X. Leukocyte telomere length and sarcopenia-related traits: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296063. [PMID: 38166034 PMCID: PMC10760921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicated that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was related to sarcopenia. However, it is still not clear whether the association of changes in LTL with sarcopenia is likely to be causal, or could be explained by reverse causality. Thus, we carried on bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) and multivariable MR analyses to identify the causal relationship between LTL and sarcopenia-related traits. Summary-level data and independent variants used as instruments came from large genome-wide association studies of LTL (472,174 participants), appendicular lean mass (450,243 participants), low grip strength (256,523 participants), and walking pace (450,967 participants). We identified suggestive association of longer LTL with larger appendicular lean mass [odds ratio (OR) = 1.053; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.009-1.099; P = 0.018], and causal association of longer LTL with a lower risk of low grip strength (OR = 0.915; 95% CI, 0.860-0.974; P = 0.005). In the reverse MR analysis, we also observed a positive causal association between walking pace and LTL (OR = 1.252; 95% CI, 1.121-1.397; P < 0.001). Similar results can be repeated in sensitivity analyses. While in the multivariable MR analysis, the estimate of the impact of walking pace on LTL underwent a transformation after adjusting for T2DM (OR = 1.141; 95%CI: 0.989-1.317; P = 0.070). The current MR analysis supported a causal relationship between shorter telomere length and both low muscle mass and strength. Additionally, walking pace may affect LTL through T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingkun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenhao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yihao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junhua He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoming Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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3
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Kurashova NA, Dashiev BG, Kolesnikov SI, Kolesnikova LI. Oxidative Stress, Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity in Spermatogenesis Disorders (Review of Scientific Activity). Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 176:115-122. [PMID: 38189870 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-024-05979-3] [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: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The paper systematizes the available data on the study of oxidative stress, the relative length of telomeres, and telomerase activity in male infertility and disorders of spermatogenesis. The study of telomeres, the structures that protect chromosome ends and genome integrity, is of interest for researchers in various fields, from cell biology and epidemiology to ecology and evolutionary biology. The review includes our own data on the study of the relative length of telomeres, oxidative stress, and telomerase activity and reflects modern ideas about the importance of these structures both in the maintenance of genome stability during cell division and in gametogenesis and reproduction. Many studies indicate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including male infertility. In turn, studies of telomeres as a biomarker of male infertility are insufficient, and the results obtained are extremely controversial and require deeper knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Kurashova
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia.
| | - B G Dashiev
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - S I Kolesnikov
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - L I Kolesnikova
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
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Tobler M, Gómez-Blanco D, Hegemann A, Lapa M, Neto JM, Tarka M, Xiong Y, Hasselquist D. Telomeres in ecology and evolution: A review and classification of hypotheses. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5946-5965. [PMID: 34865259 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Research on telomeres in the fields of ecology and evolution has been rapidly expanding over the last two decades. This has resulted in the formulation of a multitude of, often name-given, hypotheses related to the associations between telomeres and life-history traits or fitness-facilitating processes (and the mechanisms underlying them). However, the differences (or similarities) between the various hypotheses, which can originate from different research fields, are often not obvious. Our aim here is therefore to give an overview of the hypotheses that are of interest in ecology and evolution and to provide two frameworks that help discriminate among them. We group the hypotheses (i) based on their association with different research questions, and (ii) using a hierarchical approach that builds on the assumptions they make, such as about causality of telomere length/shortening and/or the proposed functional consequences of telomere shortening on organism performance. Both our frameworks show that there exist parallel lines of thoughts in different research fields. Moreover, they also clearly illustrate that there are in many cases competing hypotheses within clusters, and that some of these even have contradictory assumptions and/or predictions. We also touch upon two topics in telomere research that would benefit from further conceptualization. This review should help researchers, both those familiar with and those new to the subject, to identify future avenues of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Arne Hegemann
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mariana Lapa
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Júlio M Neto
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maja Tarka
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ye Xiong
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Courtney MG, Roberts J, Godde K. How social/environmental determinants and inflammation affect salivary telomere length among middle-older adults in the health and retirement study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8882. [PMID: 35614304 PMCID: PMC9133070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12742-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Social epidemiology posits that chronic stress from social determinants will lead to a prolonged inflammatory response that may induce accelerated aging as measured, for example, through telomere length (TL). In this paper, we hypothesize variables across demographic, health-related, and contextual/environmental domains influence the body’s stress response, increase inflammation (as measured through high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)), and thereby lead to shortening of telomeres. This population-based research uses data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study on participants ages ≤ 54–95 + years, estimating logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models of variables (with and without confounders) across the domains on shortened TL. A mediation analysis is also conducted. Contrary to expectations, hs-CRP is not associated with risk of shortened TL. Rather, factors related to accessing health care, underlying conditions of frailty, and social inequality appear to predict risk of shorter TL, and models demonstrate considerable confounding. Further, hs-CRP is not a mediator for TL. Therefore, the social determinants of health examined do not appear to follow an inflammatory pathway for shortened TL. The finding of a relationship to social determinants affecting access to health care and medical conditions underscores the need to address social determinants alongside primary care when examining health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kanya Godde
- University of La Verne, 1950 Third St., La Verne, CA, USA.
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Teixeira MZ. Telomere and Telomerase: Biological Markers of Organic Vital Force State and Homeopathic Treatment Effectiveness. HOMEOPATHY 2021; 110:283-291. [PMID: 34000743 PMCID: PMC8575553 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Philosophical-scientific correlations described in previous studies suggest that the genome can be the biological representation of the vital force, whilst the disease-promoting epigenetic alterations would be the biological representation of the chronic miasmas. In this study, we expand the functional correlation between vital force and chromosomes, describing the mechanism of action of the telomere-telomerase complex in the context of physiological balance. AIMS The aim of the work is to study the role of the telomere-telomerase complex in cell vitality, biological aging, and the health-disease process, with the goal of proposing the use of telomere length as a biomarker of the vital force state and the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. RESULTS Similar to the vital force, telomere length and telomerase enzyme activity play an important role in maintaining cellular vitality, biological longevity, and physiological homeostasis. Telomere shortening functions as a biomarker of vital imbalance and is associated with numerous diseases and health disorders. On the other hand, health-promotion practices neutralize the pathological shortening of the telomeres, acting therapeutically in diseases or age-dependent health disorders. CONCLUSIONS As a hypothetical biomarker of the vital force state, an intra-individual analysis of the mean leukocyte telomere length before, during, and after homeopathic treatment can be used as a biomarker of therapeutic effectiveness.
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Kocabas Ş, Sanlier N. A comprehensive overview of the complex relationship between epigenetics, bioactive components, cancer, and aging. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021:1-13. [PMID: 34623201 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1986803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Among age-related diseases, the incidence of cancer increases significantly due to the overlap of some molecular pathways between cancer and aging. While the genetic influence on the human lifespan is estimated to be about 20-25%, epigenetic changes play an important role in modulating individual health status, aging. Aging and age-related conditions are processes that can be modified by both genetic, environmental factors, including dietary habits. Epigenetics is a new discipline has significant potential to be applied for the prevention, management of certain carcinomas and diseases. Epigenetic modifications may play an important role in disease occurrence and pathogenesis. Some nutritional components can be significantly effective in the prevention of breast, skin, esophagus, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, lung cancers. It contains minerals, vitamins, and some bioactive components (curcumin, indole 3 carbinol, di-indolylmethane, sulforaphane, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein, resveratrol, pterostilbene, apigenin, etc.) regulatory processes. However, compelling evidence suggests that dietary habits can manipulate the aging process and/or its consequences, have health benefits. Aging processes become complex when combined with the relational role of bioactive nutritional components on gene expression. In this review, the relationship between epigenetic processes caused by DNA methylylation, histone modification, non-coding m-RNA, and telomerase activity, the risk of aging and cancer is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şule Kocabas
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Ankara Medipol University, Altındağ, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nevin Sanlier
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Ankara Medipol University, Altındağ, Ankara, Turkey
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8
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Teixeira MZ. Telomere length: biological marker of cellular vitality, aging, and health-disease process. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2021; 67:173-177. [PMID: 34406239 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.67.02.20200655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aging process occurs due to the decline of vital physiological functions and adaptability of the body, being influenced by genetics and lifestyle. With advances in genetics, biological aging can be calculated by telomere length. Telomeres are regions at the ends of chromosomes that play a role in the maintenance and integrity of DNA. With biological aging, telomere shortening occurs, causing cellular senescence. Several studies show that shorter telomeres are associated with acute and chronic diseases, stress, addictions, and intoxications. Even in the current COVID-19 pandemic, telomere shortening is proposed as a marker of severity in individuals infected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On the other hand, healthy lifestyle habits increase telomere length and balance of various cellular functions, preventing diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Zulian Teixeira
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade de São Paulo (SP), Brazil
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9
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Hasselquist D, Tobler M. The Accumulating Costs Hypothesis—to Better Understand Delayed “Hidden” Costs of Seemingly Mild Disease and Other Moderate Stressors. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.685057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild diseases and moderate stressors are seemingly harmless and are therefore often assumed to have negligible impact on Darwinian fitness. Here we argue that the effects of “benign” parasites and other moderate stressors may have a greater impact on lifespan and other fitness traits than generally thought. We outline the “accumulating costs” hypothesis which proposes that moderate strains on the body caused by mild diseases and other moderate stressors that occur throughout life will result in small irreversible “somatic lesions” that initially are invisible (i.e., induce “hidden” costs). However, over time these somatic lesions accumulate until their summed effect reaches a critical point when cell senescence and malfunction begin to affect organ functionality and lead to the onset of degenerative diseases and aging. We briefly discuss three potential mechanisms through which the effects of moderate strains (e.g., mild diseases) could accumulate: Accelerated telomere shortening, loss of repetitious cell compartments and other uncorrected DNA damage in the genome. We suggest that telomere shortening may be a key candidate for further research with respect to the accumulating costs hypothesis. Telomeres can acquire lesions from moderate strains without immediate negative effects, lesions can be accumulated over time and lead to a critically short telomere length, which may eventually cause severe somatic malfunctioning, including aging. If effects of mild diseases, benign parasites and moderate stressors accrued throughout life can have severe delayed consequences, this might contribute to our understanding of life history strategies and trade-offs, and have important implications for medicine, including consideration of treatment therapies for mild (chronic) infections such as malaria.
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10
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Needham BL, Straight B, Hilton CE, Olungah CO, Lin J. Family socioeconomic status and child telomere length among the Samburu of Kenya. Soc Sci Med 2021; 283:114182. [PMID: 34225037 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous research in high-income countries suggests that children from families with lower socioeconomic status (SES) tend to have shorter telomere length - a biomarker of stress and cell aging - than children from families with greater social and economic resources. However, little is known about predictors of child telomere length in low-income settings. Data for the current study are from a sample of 214 Samburu children aged 1-9 years. The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists who live in the Rift Valley of north-central Kenya. Samburu livelihood is based primarily on livestock, and polygynous marriage is common. Drawing on prior ethnographic research, we measured 14 culturally relevant indicators of family SES, including mother's education, head of household's education, whether the child is currently attending school, household spending, mother's employment history, head of household's employment history, mother's perceived wealth, whether the child lives in a modern house, livestock holdings (total, cows, sheep/goats, and camels), mother's wife number, and whether the child lives in a polygynous household. Telomere length was measured in salivary DNA by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. Using latent class analysis, we identified four groups of children that are similar based on the 14 indicators of family SES: Lower SES; Middle SES, Traditional; Middle SES, Modern; and Higher SES. SES classes were not significantly associated with child telomere length. In models examining individual indicators of SES, we found that telomere length was 0.57 standard deviations greater for children who lived in families in the lowest quartile of total livestock holdings compared to those in the highest quartile (b = 0.57, p = 0.03). While additional research is needed to identify the mechanisms underlying this counterintuitive finding, the current study highlights the importance of cultural context in shaping the social gradient in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda L Needham
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan, USA.
| | - Bilinda Straight
- Department of Gender and Women's Studies, Western Michigan University, USA
| | - Charles E Hilton
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | | | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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The Relationships Between Prenatal Smoking Exposure and Telomere Lengths in Fetuses, Infants, and Children: A Systematic Literature Review. J Addict Nurs 2021; 31:243-252. [PMID: 33264196 DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between prenatal smoking exposure and telomere lengths (TLs) in fetuses, infants, and children. METHODS This is a systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Databases searched were Biomedical Reference Collection, MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. The latest search was on October 18, 2019. RESULTS Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and thus were reviewed. Five of the studies showed significant inverse relationships between prenatal tobacco exposure and TLs in fetuses, infants, and children. One study showed a modification effect of the postconceptual age, indicating that older fetuses with prenatal smoking exposure had shorter TLs than their counterparts. This effect was more prominent after 93 days of postconception. Another study reported a finding that was contrary to the above results, showing that the telomeres of newborns with prenatal smoking exposure were longer than those of their counterparts. CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS This review shows that the impact of prenatal smoking on the health of unborn fetuses, infants, and children is an understudied area. Because of the inconsistent findings and cross-sectional study designs, more research is required, especially longitudinally studies. Nonetheless, the findings of the review provide partial evidence that prenatal smoking can potentially impact the genetic biomarker, TLs, and, thus, health of fetuses, infants, and children. The evidence confirms the current practice that pregnant women should be encouraged to stop smoking as soon as they become pregnant.
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Gorenjak V, Petrelis AM, Stathopoulou MG, Visvikis-Siest S. Telomere length determinants in childhood. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 58:162-177. [PMID: 31465289 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2019-0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) is a dynamic marker that reflects genetic predispositions together with the environmental conditions of an individual. It is closely related to longevity and a number of pathological conditions. Even though the extent of telomere research in children is limited compared to that of adults, there have been a substantial number of studies providing first insights into child telomere biology and determinants. Recent discoveries revealed evidence that TL is, to a great extent, determined already in childhood and that environmental conditions in adulthood have less impact than first believed. Studies have demonstrated that large inter-individual differences in TL are present among newborns and are determined by diverse factors that influence intrauterine development. The first years of child growth are associated with high cellular turnover, which results in fast shortening of telomeres. The rate of telomere loss becomes stable in early adulthood. In this review article we summarise the existing knowledge on telomere dynamics during the first years of childhood, highlighting the conditions that affect newborn TL. We also warn about the knowledge gaps that should be filled to fully understand the regulation of telomeres, in order to implement them as biomarkers for use in diagnostics or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sophie Visvikis-Siest
- University of Lorraine, Inserm, IGE-PCV, Nancy, France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, CHU Technopôle Nancy-Brabois, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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13
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Stone RC, Aviv A, Paus R. Telomere Dynamics and Telomerase in the Biology of Hair Follicles and their Stem Cells as a Model for Aging Research. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:1031-1040. [PMID: 33509633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we propose that telomere length dynamics play an important but underinvestigated role in the biology of the hair follicle (HF), a prototypic, cyclically remodeled miniorgan that shows an intriguing aging pattern in humans. Whereas the HF pigmentary unit ages quickly, its epithelial stem cell (ESC) component and regenerative capacity are surprisingly aging resistant. Telomerase-deficient mice with short telomeres display an aging phenotype of hair graying and hair loss that is attributed to impaired HF ESC mobilization. Yet, it remains unclear whether the function of telomerase and telomeres in murine HF biology translate to the human system. Therefore, we propose new directions for future telomere research of the human HF. Such research may guide the development of novel treatments for selected disorders of human hair growth or pigmentation (e.g., chemotherapy-induced alopecia, telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, graying). It might also increase the understanding of the global role of telomeres in aging-related human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivka C Stone
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
| | - Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ralf Paus
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA; Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Monasterium Laboratory, Münster, Germany
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14
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Sun Y, Li X, Jiang W, Fan Y, Ouyang Q, Shao W, Alolga RN, Ge Y, Ma G. Advanced paternal age and risk of cancer in offspring. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 13:3712-3725. [PMID: 33411681 PMCID: PMC7906132 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Many risk factors of cancer have been established, but the contribution of paternal age in this regard remains largely unexplored. To further understand the etiology of cancer, we investigated the relationship between paternal age and cancer incidence using PLCO cohort. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to assess the association between paternal age and the risk of cancers. During follow-up time (median 11.5 years), 18,753 primary cancers occurred. Paternal age was associated with reduced risk of cancers of the female genitalia (HR, 0.79; 95%CI, 0.66-0.94; P = 0.008) as well as cancers of the respiratory and intrathoracic organs (HR, 0.78; 95%CI, 0.63-0.97; P = 0.026). The association was stronger for lung cancer (HR, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.52-0.86; P = 0.002). The subgroup analysis suggested that age, gender, smoking and BMI were related to the decreased cancer incidence of the respiratory and intrathoracic organs, lung and the female genitalia. Positive linear associations were observed between paternal age and cancer incidence of the female genitalia, respiratory and intrathoracic organs and the lungs. These findings indicate that advanced paternal age is an independent protective factor against various cancers in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yuanming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Science and Technology, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Raphael N. Alolga
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuqiu Ge
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Gaoxiang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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15
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Telomeres and telomerase in risk assessment of cardiovascular diseases. Exp Cell Res 2020; 397:112361. [PMID: 33171154 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive nucleoprotein structures located at the ends of chromosomes. Reduction in the number of repetitions causes cell senescence. Cells with high proliferative potential age with each replication cycle. Post-mitotic cells (e.g. cardiovascular cells) have a different aging mechanism. During the aging of cardiovascular system cells, permanent DNA damage occurs in the telomeric regions caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, which is a phenomenon independent of cell proliferation and telomere length. Mitochondrial dysfunction is accompanied by increased production of reactive oxygen species and development of inflammation. This phenomenon in the cells of blood vessels can lead to atherosclerosis development. Telomere damage in cardiomyocytes leads to the activation of the DNA damage response system, histone H2A.X phosphorylation, p53 activation and p21 and p16 protein synthesis, resulting in the SASP phenotype (senescence-associated secretory phenotype), increased inflammation and cardiac dysfunction. Cardiovascular cells show the activity of the TERT subunit of telomerase, an enzyme that prevents telomere shortening. It turns out that disrupting the activity of this enzyme can also contribute to the formation of cardiovascular diseases. Measurements of telomere length according to the "blood-muscle" model may help in the future to assess the risk of cardiovascular complications in people undergoing cardiological procedures, as well as to assess the effectiveness of some drugs.
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Niu Z, Li K, Xie C, Wen X. Adverse Birth Outcomes and Birth Telomere Length: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pediatr 2019; 215:64-74.e6. [PMID: 31630890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To synthesize previous findings on the difference in birth telomere length between newborns with and without intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or with and without preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN We systematically searched 3 databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) for publications that examined the relationships of IUGR or preterm birth with birth telomere length. We conducted meta-analysis to pool the estimated difference in birth telomere length either between IUGR and non-IUGR or between preterm birth and full-term birth. Subgroup analyses were conducted by tissues (newborn blood vs placenta) and techniques used for telomere length measurement (quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR] vs telomere restriction fragment). RESULTS We included 11 articles on comparing birth telomere length between IUGR (combined n = 227) and non-IUGR (n = 1897) and 7 articles on comparing birth telomere length between preterm birth (n = 182) and full-term birth (n = 1320). We found IUGR was associated with shorter birth telomere length only when birth telomere length was measured in placenta (pooled standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.85; 95% CI -1.13 to -0.57; IUGR/non-IUGR n = 87/173), but not in newborn blood (pooled SMD = 0.00, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.19; IUGR/non-IUGR n = 148/1733). Birth telomere length was significantly longer in preterm birth than in full-term birth when birth telomere length was measured by qPCR (pooled SMD = 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.63; preterm birth/full-term birth n = 137/682) but not by telomere restriction fragment (pooled SMD = 0.05, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.38; preterm birth/full-term birth n = 44/444). CONCLUSIONS IUGR is associated with shorter placental telomere length and preterm birth is associated with longer birth telomere length measured by qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongzheng Niu
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Karen Li
- Division of Behavioral Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; College of Health Professions, Lienhard School of Nursing, Pace University, New York, NY
| | - Chuanbo Xie
- Department of Cancer Prevention Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaozhong Wen
- Division of Behavioral Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.
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Needham BL, Salerno S, Roberts E, Boss J, Allgood KL, Mukherjee B. Do black/white differences in telomere length depend on socioeconomic status? BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2019; 65:287-312. [PMID: 33243026 PMCID: PMC7703670 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2020.1765734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Social and economic disadvantage are hypothesized to increase the risk of disease and death via accelerated biological aging. Given that US blacks are socially and economically disadvantaged relative to whites, health disparities scholars expected that blacks would have shorter telomere length-a biomarker of cell aging-than whites. Yet the majority of studies have found that blacks have longer telomere length than whites. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 3,761; 28.3% non-Hispanic black, 71.7% non-Hispanic white), we found that leukocyte telomere length was 4.00% (95% CI: 1.12%, 6.87%) longer among blacks compared to whites in the full sample, but differences were greatest among those with lower SES (5.66%; 95% CI: 0.10%, 10.32%), intermediate among those with middle SES (4.14%; 95% CI: 0.05%, 8.24%), and smallest among those with higher SES (2.33%; 95% CI: -3.02%, 7.67%). These results challenge purely genetic explanations for race differences in telomere length and point to a potential social-environmental cause of longer telomere length in US blacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda L. Needham
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan
| | | | | | | | - Kristi L. Allgood
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan
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18
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Muhsen K, Sinnreich R, Merom D, Nassar H, Cohen D, Kark JD. Helicobacter pylori infection, serum pepsinogens as markers of atrophic gastritis, and leukocyte telomere length: a population-based study. Hum Genomics 2019; 13:32. [PMID: 31331390 PMCID: PMC6647065 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-019-0217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Persistent infections that induce prolonged inflammation might negatively affect the leukocyte telomere length (LTL); however, the role in LTL of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which persistently colonizes the stomach, remains unknown. The study objective was to examine associations of sero-prevalence of H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody and serum pepsinogens (PGs), as markers of atrophic gastritis, with LTL. A cross-sectional study was performed among 934 Arab residents of East Jerusalem, aged 27–78 years, randomly selected from Israel’s national population registry. Sera were tested for H. pylori IgG and PG levels by ELISA. LTL was measured by southern blots. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to adjust for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Results LTL decreased significantly with age (p < 0.001) and was shorter in men than women (p = 0.032). The mean LTL was longer in H. pylori sero-positive persons than negative ones: mean difference 0.13 kb (95% CI 0.02, 0.24), p = 0.016. Participants with atrophic gastritis (PGI < 30 μg/L or a PGI: PGII < 3.0) had shorter LTL than did those without: mean difference − 0.18 (95% CI − 0.32, − 0.04). The difference was of larger magnitude between persons who had past H. pylori infection (sero-negative to H. pylori IgG antibody) and atrophic gastritis, compared to those who were H. pylori sero-negative and did not have atrophic gastritis: mean difference − 0.32 kb (95% CI − 0.55, − 0.10). This association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and religiosity: beta coefficient − 0.21 kb (95% CI − 0.41, − 0.001), p = 0.049. The results were similar after further adjustment for lifestyle factors. In bivariate analysis, mean LTL was longer in physically active persons than non-active ones, and shorter in persons with than without obesity; however, these differences were diminished and were not significant in the multivariable model. Conclusions H. pylori IgG sero-positivity per se was not related to reduced LTL. However, persons with past H. pylori infection (i.e., lacking H. pylori IgG serum antibody) and with serological evidence of atrophic gastritis, had a significantly shorter LTL than did those without atrophic gastritis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40246-019-0217-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khitam Muhsen
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv, Ramat Aviv, 6139001, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Ronit Sinnreich
- Hadassah School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dafna Merom
- Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hisham Nassar
- St. Joseph Hospital, East Jerusalem and Department of Cardiology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dani Cohen
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv, Ramat Aviv, 6139001, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jeremy D Kark
- Hadassah School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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Benetos A, Aviv A. Ancestry, Telomere Length, and Atherosclerosis Risk. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 10:CIRCGENETICS.117.001718. [PMID: 28615296 DOI: 10.1161/circgenetics.117.001718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Athanase Benetos
- From the Département de Médecine Gériatrique, CHRU de Nancy, The Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université de Lorraine, France (A.B.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark (A.A.).
| | - Abraham Aviv
- From the Département de Médecine Gériatrique, CHRU de Nancy, The Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université de Lorraine, France (A.B.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark (A.A.)
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20
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Vasilopoulos E, Fragkiadaki P, Kalliora C, Fragou D, Docea AO, Vakonaki E, Tsoukalas D, Calina D, Buga AM, Georgiadis G, Mamoulakis C, Makrigiannakis A, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis A. The association of female and male infertility with telomere length (Review). Int J Mol Med 2019; 44:375-389. [PMID: 31173155 PMCID: PMC6605974 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) has long been associated with aging, as telomeres serve as protective caps of chromosomes, and are thus deeply involved in the preservation of genome integrity and are vital to cellular functions. Traditionally, a strong link connects aging and infertility in both sexes, with an earlier onset in females. Over the past decade, telomeres have attracted increasing attention due to the role they play in fertility. In this review, we investigated the potential positive or negative association between relative TL and different factors of female and male infertility. A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted. Out of the 206 studies identified, 45 were reviewed as they fulfilled the criteria of validity and relevance. Following an analysis and a comparison of the study outcomes, several clear trends were observed. The majority of female infertility factors were associated with a shorter TL, with the exception of endometriosis, premature ovarian failure and clear cell carcinoma that were associated with a longer TL and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which revealed conflicting results among several studies, leading to ambiguous conclusions. Male infertility factors were associated with a shorter TL. Although this review can provide an outline of general trends in the association of TL with infertility factors, further epidemiological and original research studies are required to focus on investigating the basis of these varying lengths of telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Persefoni Fragkiadaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Charikleia Kalliora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Domniki Fragou
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Elena Vakonaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dimitris Tsoukalas
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Buga
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - George Georgiadis
- Department of Urology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Charalampos Mamoulakis
- Department of Urology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonios Makrigiannakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
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Chahine MN, Toupance S, El-Hakim S, Labat C, Gautier S, Moussallem T, Yared P, Asmar R, Benetos A. Telomere length and age-dependent telomere attrition: the blood-and-muscle model. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019; 97:328-334. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2018-0582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Short telomere length (TL) is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) and other age-related diseases. It is unclear whether these associations originate from having inherently short TL or a faster TL attrition before or during disease development. We proposed the blood-and-muscle model to assess TL dynamics throughout life course. Our objective was to measure TL in leukocytes (LTL) and in skeletal muscle (MTL), which served as a proxy of TL at birth. The delta (MTL–LTL) represented life-long telomere attrition. Blood draws and skeletal muscle biopsies were performed on 35 Lebanese individuals undergoing surgery. Following DNA extraction, LTL and MTL were measured by Southern blot. In every individual aged between 30 and 85 years, MTL was longer than LTL. With age, MTL and LTL decreased, but the delta (MTL–LTL) increased by 14 bp/year. We validated the blood-and-muscle model that allowed us to identify TL, TL at birth, and lifelong TL attrition in a cross-sectional study. This model can be used in larger cross-sectional studies to evaluate the association of telomere dynamics with age-related diseases onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna N. Chahine
- Foundation-Medical Research Institutes, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Simon Toupance
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, DCAC, F-54000 Nancy, France
- Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Pôle “Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs”, F-54000, France
- Nancyclotep-GIE, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Sandy El-Hakim
- Faculty of Public Health II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Carlos Labat
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, DCAC, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Sylvie Gautier
- Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Pôle “Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs”, F-54000, France
| | | | - Pierre Yared
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Roland Asmar
- Foundation-Medical Research Institutes, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Athanase Benetos
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, DCAC, F-54000 Nancy, France
- Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Pôle “Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs”, F-54000, France
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Eisenberg DTA, Kuzawa CW. The paternal age at conception effect on offspring telomere length: mechanistic, comparative and adaptive perspectives. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2016.0442. [PMID: 29335366 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repeating DNA found at the ends of chromosomes that, in the absence of restorative processes, shorten with cell replications and are implicated as a cause of senescence. It appears that sperm telomere length (TL) increases with age in humans, and as a result offspring of older fathers inherit longer telomeres. We review possible mechanisms underlying this paternal age at conception (PAC) effect on TL, including sperm telomere extension due to telomerase activity, age-dependent changes in the spermatogonial stem cell population (possibly driven by 'selfish' spermatogonia) and non-causal confounding. In contrast to the lengthening of TL with PAC, higher maternal age at conception appears to predict shorter offspring TL in humans. We review evidence for heterogeneity across species in the PAC effect on TL, which could relate to differences in statistical power, sperm production rates or testicular telomerase activity. Finally, we review the hypothesis that the PAC effect on TL may allow a gradual multi-generational adaptive calibration of maintenance effort, and reproductive lifespan, to local demographic conditions: descendants of males who reproduced at a later age are likely to find themselves in an environment where increased maintenance effort, allowing later reproduction, represents a fitness improving resource allocation.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan T A Eisenberg
- Department of Anthropology, Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christopher W Kuzawa
- Department of Anthropology, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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Aviv A, Shay JW. Reflections on telomere dynamics and ageing-related diseases in humans. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2016.0436. [PMID: 29335375 PMCID: PMC5784057 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have principally relied on measurements of telomere length (TL) in leucocytes, which reflects TL in other somatic cells. Leucocyte TL (LTL) displays vast variation across individuals—a phenomenon already observed in newborns. It is highly heritable, longer in females than males and in individuals of African ancestry than European ancestry. LTL is also longer in offspring conceived by older men. The traditional view regards LTL as a passive biomarker of human ageing. However, new evidence suggests that a dynamic interplay between selective evolutionary forces and TL might result in trade-offs for specific health outcomes. From a biological perspective, an active role of TL in ageing-related human diseases could occur because short telomeres increase the risk of a category of diseases related to restricted cell proliferation and tissue degeneration, including cardiovascular disease, whereas long telomeres increase the risk of another category of diseases related to increased proliferative growth, including major cancers. To understand the role of telomere biology in ageing-related diseases, it is essential to expand telomere research to newborns and children and seek further insight into the underlying causes of the variation in TL due to ancestry and geographical location. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Pollack AZ, Rivers K, Ahrens KA. Parity associated with telomere length among US reproductive age women. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:736-744. [PMID: 29452389 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is telomere length related to parity among a nationally representative sample of US reproductive age women? SUMMARY ANSWER History of live birth was associated with shorter telomere length. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Shorter telomeres have been linked with a range of chronic health conditions and mortality and parity has been associated with health indicators. However, there is a lack of research on how parity relates to telomere length. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This nationally representative, cross-sectional study included 1954 women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2002, the only survey period which includes measurement of telomere length. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Women aged 20-44 were included. Parity, defined as number of previous live births, was ascertained by questionnaire. Leukocyte telomere length was measured by polymerase chain reaction and reported as a ratio in relation to standard reference DNA (T/S ratio). The relationship between leukocyte T/S ratio and parity was examined using survey weighted linear regression. Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, age, BMI, income-to-poverty ratio, education, early age at menarche and smoking status. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Among reproductive age women in the US, the adjusted mean leukocyte T/S ratio was 4.2% (95% CI: 0.9, 7.3) shorter in parous compared with nulliparous women. Parity was associated with 116 fewer base pairs (95% CI: 26, 204) on average, using estimated coefficients from the adjusted linear regression models and mean covariate values. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION This study was cross-sectional and therefore was unable to establish temporality. The dataset lacked information on social factors, stress and fertility status, which may help explain these findings. Only two previous studies have examined this question and our findings should be interpreted with caution. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These findings in a nationally representative sample of US reproductive age women suggest that history of live birth may be associated with accelerated cellular aging. The magnitude of the observed association was greater than that of the impact of smoking or obesity on telomere length, suggesting that parity may have an independent influence on cellular aging and warrant further study. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded in part by the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program at George Mason University. The authors have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Z Pollack
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive MS5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - K Rivers
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive MS5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - K A Ahrens
- Office of Population Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 700, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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McFarland MJ, Taylor J, McFarland CAS, Friedman KL. Perceived Unfair Treatment by Police, Race, and Telomere Length: A Nashville Community-based Sample of Black and White Men. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2018; 59:585-600. [PMID: 30417689 DOI: 10.1177/0022146518811144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Police maltreatment, whether experienced personally or indirectly through one's family or friends, represents a structurally rooted public health problem that disproportionately affects minorities. Researchers, however, know little about the physiological mechanisms connecting unfair treatment by police (UTBP) to poor health. Shortened telomeres due to exposure to this stressor represent one plausible mechanism. Using data from a community sample of black (n = 262) and white (n = 252) men residing in Nashville-Davidson County, we test four hypotheses: (1) Black men will be more likely to report UTBP than white men, (2) those reporting UTBP will have shorter telomeres than those not reporting UTBP, (3) this association will be more pronounced among black men, and (4) these hypotheses will extend to those who report vicarious UTBP. Results reveal support for all hypotheses. The implications for our findings are discussed as they pertain to debates on policing practices and health disparities research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Taylor
- 1 Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Piplani S, Alemao NN, Prabhu M, Ambar S, Chugh Y, Chugh SK. Correlation of the telomere length with type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with ischemic heart disease. Indian Heart J 2018; 70 Suppl 3:S173-S176. [PMID: 30595252 PMCID: PMC6310747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ihj.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The study aimed to explore the relationship of the telomere length with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Method This 2-year cross-sectional study included 130 male patients diagnosed with IHD through echocardiography and coronary angiography, wherein consecutive IHD patients with type 2 DM (65) and without type 2 DM (65) were selected. Baseline characteristics including age, gender, body mass index, and blood pressure were recorded. Laboratory investigations such as random blood sugar (RBS), fasting lipid profile, serum creatinine, and serum urea levels were measured. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the measurement of the telomere length. The logistic regression analysis was used to predict the relationship of the telomere length with age and type 2 DM among patients with IHD. Results All the patients in the study were men, and most of them (diabetics = 22; nondiabetics = 20) were aged between 56 and 65 years. Age (p = 0.003), telomere length (p < 0.001), RBS (p < 0.001), serum creatinine (p < 0013), and serum urea (p < 0.04) were significantly higher in the diabetic subset than in the nondiabetic subset. No significant relationship was observed between age and the telomere length (p = 0.813); however, the mean telomere length was significantly high among the patients with type 2 DM than those without type 2 DM (p = 0.005). The logistic regression analysis showed that the telomere shortening (p = 0.00019) and RBS (p < 0.0001) were the significant risk factors for type 2 DM in patients with IHD. Conclusion The telomere shortening was significantly correlated with type 2 DM among the patients with IHD. However, multicentric studies with larger samples are required to validate the current observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobhit Piplani
- Intern, K.L.E. University's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Center, Belagavi 590003, Karnataka, India.
| | - Nadezdha Niyarah Alemao
- Intern, K.L.E. University's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Center, Belagavi 590003, Karnataka, India.
| | - Madhav Prabhu
- Department of General Medicine, K.L.E. University's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Center, Belagavi 590003, Karnataka, India.
| | - Sameer Ambar
- Department of Cardiology, K.L.E. University's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Center, Belagavi 590003, Karnataka, India.
| | - Yashasvi Chugh
- Department of Cardiology, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and West Hospitals, New York, United States.
| | - Sanjay Kumar Chugh
- Department of Cardiology, Jaipur National University Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Jaipur 303012, Rajasthan, India.
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Axson EL, Peterson KE, Tellez-Rojo MM, Goodrich JM, Meeker J, Mercado-García A, Solano M, Needham BL. Sex Differences in Telomere Length Are Not Mediated by Sex Steroid Hormones or Body Size in Early Adolescence. GENDER AND THE GENOME 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/2470289718795177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length is a biomarker of cell aging that is hypothesized to contribute to women’s greater longevity. Although most previous studies have found no sex difference in telomere length at birth, it is well established that females have longer average telomere length than males during adulthood. Proposed biological mechanisms underlying sex differences in adult telomere length include differences in sex steroid hormones and body size, which emerge during the pubertal transition. The purpose of this study was to examine the total effect of sex on telomere length during early adolescence and to examine estradiol, total testosterone, and body surface area (BSA; a measure of body size) as potential mediators of sex differences in telomere length. Data were from a population-based sample of 126 female and 109 male Hispanic adolescents aged 8 to 14 years from the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to ENvironmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) study. Relative telomere length (T/S ratio) was measured by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method; sex steroid hormones were measured using an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay, and BSA was calculated using measured height and weight. Adjusting for age and pubertal status, we found that girls had significantly longer telomeres than boys (β = .13; P < .01), but there were no significant indirect effects of sex on telomere length through any of the proposed mediators. We conclude that sex differences in telomere length are evident during early adolescence but are not explained by cross-sectional differences in sex steroid hormones or body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor L. Axson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Karen E. Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Center for Human Growth and Development, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Martha M. Tellez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Jaclyn M. Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Adriana Mercado-García
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, Col Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Maritsa Solano
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Belinda L. Needham
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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28
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Guyatt AL, Rodriguez S, Gaunt TR, Fraser A, Anderson EL. Early life adiposity and telomere length across the life course: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 2:118. [PMID: 30542661 PMCID: PMC6259597 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13083.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The relationship between adiposity at birth and in childhood, and telomere length is yet to be determined. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the results of studies assessing associations between neonatal and later childhood adiposity, and telomere length. Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE and PubMed for studies reporting associations between adiposity measured in the neonatal period or later childhood/adolescence, and leucocyte telomere length, measured at any age via quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or terminal restriction fragment analysis, either cross-sectionally, or longitudinally. Papers published before April 2017 were included. Results: Out of 230 abstracts assessed, 23 papers (32 estimates) were retained, from which 19 estimates were meta-analysed (15 cross-sectional, four longitudinal). Of the 15 cross-sectional estimates, seven reported on neonates: four used binary exposures of small-for-gestational-age vs. appropriate-for-gestational age (or appropriate- and large-for-gestational age), and three studied birth weight continuously. Eight estimates reported on later childhood or adolescent measures; five estimates were from studies of binary exposures (overweight/obese vs. non-obese children), and three studies used continuous measures of body mass index. All four longitudinal estimates were of neonatal adiposity, with two estimates for small-for-gestational-age vs. appropriate-for-gestational age neonates, and two estimates of birth weight studied continuously, in relation to adult telomere (49-61 years). There was no strong evidence of an association between neonatal or later childhood/adolescent adiposity, and telomere length. However, between study heterogeneity was high, and there were few combinable studies. Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis found no strong evidence of an association between neonatal or later childhood or adolescent adiposity and telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Guyatt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Santiago Rodriguez
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tom R. Gaunt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Abigail Fraser
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma L. Anderson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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29
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Leukocyte Telomere Length and Cardiovascular Risk Scores for Prediction of Cardiovascular Mortality. Epidemiology 2018; 28:e13-e15. [PMID: 28146441 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000000588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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30
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Chen BH, Carty CL, Kimura M, Kark JD, Chen W, Li S, Zhang T, Kooperberg C, Levy D, Assimes T, Absher D, Horvath S, Reiner AP, Aviv A. Leukocyte telomere length, T cell composition and DNA methylation age. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 9:1983-1995. [PMID: 28930701 PMCID: PMC5636670 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Both leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and DNA methylation age are strongly associated with chronological age. One measure of DNA methylation age─ the extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA)─ is highly predictive of all-cause mortality. We examined the relation between LTL and EEAA. LTL was measured by Southern blots and leukocyte DNA methylation was determined using Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip in participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI; n=804), the Framingham Heart Study (FHS; n=909) and the Bogalusa Heart study (BHS; n=826). EEAA was computed using 71 DNA methylation sites, further weighted by proportions of naïve CD8+ T cells, memory CD8+ T cells, and plasmablasts. Shorter LTL was associated with increased EEAA in participants from the WHI (r=-0.16, p=3.1x10-6). This finding was replicated in the FHS (r=-0.09, p=6.5x10-3) and the BHS (r=-0.07, p=3.8x 10-2). LTL was also inversely related to proportions of memory CD8+ T cells (p=4.04x10-16) and positively related to proportions of naive CD8+ T cells (p=3.57x10-14). These findings suggest that for a given age, an individual whose blood contains comparatively more memory CD8+ T cells and less naive CD8+ T cells would display a relatively shorter LTL and an older DNA methylation age, which jointly explain the striking ability of EEAA to predict mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian H Chen
- Longitudinal Studies Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.,Framingham Heart Study, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Framingham, MA 01702, USA.,Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cara L Carty
- Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Center for Translational Science, George Washington University and Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Masayuki Kimura
- Center of Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Jeremy D Kark
- Epidemiology Unit, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Shengxu Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Charles Kooperberg
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Daniel Levy
- Framingham Heart Study, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Framingham, MA 01702, USA.,Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Themistocles Assimes
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Devin Absher
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Steve Horvath
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alexander P Reiner
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Abraham Aviv
- Center of Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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31
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Tricola GM, Simons MJP, Atema E, Boughton RK, Brown JL, Dearborn DC, Divoky G, Eimes JA, Huntington CE, Kitaysky AS, Juola FA, Lank DB, Litwa HP, Mulder EGA, Nisbet ICT, Okanoya K, Safran RJ, Schoech SJ, Schreiber EA, Thompson PM, Verhulst S, Wheelwright NT, Winkler DW, Young R, Vleck CM, Haussmann MF. The rate of telomere loss is related to maximum lifespan in birds. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20160445. [PMID: 29335369 PMCID: PMC5784065 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are highly conserved regions of DNA that protect the ends of linear chromosomes. The loss of telomeres can signal an irreversible change to a cell's state, including cellular senescence. Senescent cells no longer divide and can damage nearby healthy cells, thus potentially placing them at the crossroads of cancer and ageing. While the epidemiology, cellular and molecular biology of telomeres are well studied, a newer field exploring telomere biology in the context of ecology and evolution is just emerging. With work to date focusing on how telomere shortening relates to individual mortality, less is known about how telomeres relate to ageing rates across species. Here, we investigated telomere length in cross-sectional samples from 19 bird species to determine how rates of telomere loss relate to interspecific variation in maximum lifespan. We found that bird species with longer lifespans lose fewer telomeric repeats each year compared with species with shorter lifespans. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the rate of telomere loss is evolutionarily conserved within bird families. This suggests that the physiological causes of telomere shortening, or the ability to maintain telomeres, are features that may be responsible for, or co-evolved with, different lifespans observed across species.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianna M Tricola
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Mirre J P Simons
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Els Atema
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700AB Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Raoul K Boughton
- Department of Biology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - J L Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | | | - G Divoky
- Friends of Cooper Island, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - John A Eimes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University College, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | | | | | - Frans A Juola
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - David B Lank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Hannah P Litwa
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Ellis G A Mulder
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700AB Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Kazuo Okanoya
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Rebecca J Safran
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Stephan J Schoech
- Department of Biology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Schreiber
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700AB Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - David W Winkler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Rebecca Young
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Carol M Vleck
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Mark F Haussmann
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
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32
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Guyatt AL, Rodriguez S, Gaunt TR, Fraser A, Anderson EL. Early life adiposity and telomere length across the life course: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Wellcome Open Res 2017; 2:118. [PMID: 30542661 PMCID: PMC6259597 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13083.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The relationship between adiposity at birth and in childhood, and telomere length is yet to be determined. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the results of studies assessing associations between neonatal and childhood adiposity, and telomere length. Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE and PubMed for studies reporting associations between adiposity measured in the neonatal period or childhood, and leucocyte telomere length, measured at any age via quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or terminal restriction fragment analysis, either cross-sectionally, or longitudinally. Papers published before April 2017 were included. Results: Out of 230 abstracts assessed, 23 papers (32 estimates) were retained, from which 19 estimates were meta-analysed (15 cross-sectional, four longitudinal). Of the 15 cross-sectional estimates, seven reported on neonates: four used binary exposures of small-for-gestational-age vs. appropriate-for-gestational age (or appropriate- and large-for-gestational age), and three studied birth weight continuously. Eight estimates reported on childhood measures; five estimates were from studies of binary exposures (overweight/obese vs. non-obese children), and three studies used continuous measures of body mass index. All four longitudinal estimates were of neonatal adiposity, with two estimates for small-for-gestational-age vs. appropriate-for-gestational age neonates, and two estimates of birth weight studied continuously, in relation to adult telomere (49-61 years). There was no strong evidence of an association between neonatal or childhood adiposity, and telomere length. However, between study heterogeneity was high, and there were few combinable studies. Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis found no strong evidence of an association between neonatal or childhood adiposity and telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Guyatt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Santiago Rodriguez
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tom R. Gaunt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Abigail Fraser
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma L. Anderson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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33
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Factor-Litvak P, Susser E, Aviv A. Environmental Exposures, Telomere Length at Birth, and Disease Susceptibility in Later Life. JAMA Pediatr 2017; 171:1143-1144. [PMID: 29049439 PMCID: PMC5771639 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.3562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pam Factor-Litvak
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Ezra Susser
- New York Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Abraham Aviv
- Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, Newark, New Jersey
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34
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Olsson M, Wapstra E, Friesen CR. Evolutionary ecology of telomeres: a review. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1422:5-28. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mats Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales Australia
| | - Erik Wapstra
- School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Christopher R. Friesen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
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35
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Sabharwal S, Verhulst S, Guirguis G, Kark JD, Labat C, Roche NE, Martimucci K, Patel K, Heller DS, Kimura M, Chuang D, Chuang A, Benetos A, Aviv A. Telomere length dynamics in early life: the blood-and-muscle model. FASEB J 2017; 32:529-534. [PMID: 28855279 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700630r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) trajectories in somatic tissues during human growth and development are poorly understood. We examined a blood-and-muscle model during early life, focusing on TL trajectories in leukocytes, representing the highly proliferative hematopoietic system, and skeletal muscle, a minimally proliferative tissue. Leukocyte TL (LTL) and skeletal muscle TL (MTL) were measured in 28 fetuses and 73 children. LTL and MTL were highly variable across individuals (sd: fetal LTL = 0.72 kb, MTL = 0.72 kb; children LTL = 0.81 kb, MTL = 0.82 kb) but were highly correlated within individuals (fetuses, r = 0.76, P < 0.0001; children, r = 0.87, P < 0.0001). LTL was shorter than MTL in fetuses (10.63 vs. 11.01 kb; P = 0.0004) and children (8.46 vs. 9.40 kb; <0.0001). The LTL-MTL gap was smaller in fetuses than children. TL in children was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) (LTL: -0.047 ± 0.016 kb/BMI, P < 0.005; MTL: -0.037 ± 0.017 kb/BMI, P = 0.03). We conclude that variations in TL across adults and differences in TL between somatic tissues are largely established in early life. Because TL plays a significant role in aging-related diseases, insight into the factors that fashion TL in somatic tissues during early development should contribute to an understanding of the relationship of TL with these disease and longevity in humans.-Sabharwal, S., Verhulst, S., Guirguis, G., Kark, J. D., Labat, C., Roche, N. E., Martimucci, K., Patel, K., Heller, D. S., Kimura, M., Chuang, D., Chuang, A., Benetos, A., Aviv, A. Telomere length dynamics in early life: the blood-and-muscle model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Sabharwal
- Department of Orthopedics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - George Guirguis
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jeremy D Kark
- Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Carlos Labat
- INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) S1116, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Natalie E Roche
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kristina Martimucci
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Krunal Patel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Debra S Heller
- Department of Pathology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Masayuki Kimura
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA; and
| | - Donald Chuang
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA; and
| | - Anne Chuang
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA; and
| | - Athanase Benetos
- INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) S1116, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire (CHRU) de Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Abraham Aviv
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA; and
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36
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Erdmann NJ, Harrington LA, Martin LJ. Mammographic density, blood telomere length and lipid peroxidation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5803. [PMID: 28725051 PMCID: PMC5517610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive mammographic density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer, but may also be an indicator of biological age. In this study we examined whether mammographic density is related to blood telomere length, a potential marker of susceptibility to age-related disease. We measured mammographic density by a computer assisted method and blood telomere length using a validated PCR method. Urinary malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, was measured in 24 hour urine collections. In the 342 women examined telomere length was negatively correlated with age, was lower in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women and in smokers compared to non-smokers, and was positively correlated with urinary MDA. Telomere length was not associated with percent mammographic density or dense area, before or after adjustment for risk factors and MDA. However, there was a significant interaction between telomere length and MDA in their association with mammographic density. At lower levels of MDA, mammographic density and telomere length were inversely associated; while at high levels of MDA, there was evidence of a J-shaped association between mammographic density and telomere length. Further work is need to replicate these results and to examine the association of mammographic density with age-related chronic disease and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Erdmann
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Lea A Harrington
- Institute for Research in Immunology & Cancer, Départment de Médécine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.,School of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh, The Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lisa J Martin
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
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37
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Toupance S, Labat C, Temmar M, Rossignol P, Kimura M, Aviv A, Benetos A. Short Telomeres, but Not Telomere Attrition Rates, Are Associated With Carotid Atherosclerosis. Hypertension 2017. [PMID: 28630210 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.09354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Short telomeres are associated with atherosclerosis. However, the temporal relationship between atherosclerosis and telomere length is unclear. The objective of this work was to examine the temporal formation and progression of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in relation to telomere dynamics. In a longitudinal study, comprising 154 French men and women (aged 31-76 years at baseline), carotid plaques were quantified by echography, and telomere length on leucocytes was measured by Southern blots at baseline and follow-up examinations. Telomere attrition rates during the 9.5-year follow-up period were not different in individuals with plaques at both baseline and follow-up examinations (23.3±2.0 base pairs/y) than in individuals who developed plaques during the follow-up period (26.5±2.0 base pairs/y) and those without plaques at either baseline or follow-up examination (22.5±2.3 base pairs/y; P=0.79). At baseline, telomere length was associated with presence of carotid plaques (P=0.02) and with the number of regions with plaques (P=0.005). An interaction (P=0.03) between age and the presence of plaques was observed, such that the association between plaques and telomere length was more pronounced at a younger age. In conclusion, carotid atherosclerosis is not associated with increased telomere attrition during a 9.5-year follow-up period. Short telomere length is more strongly associated with early-onset than late-onset carotid atherosclerosis. Our results support the thesis that heightened telomere attrition during adult life might not explain the short telomeres observed in subjects with atherosclerotic disease. Rather, short telomeres antecedes the clinical manifestation of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Toupance
- From the INSERM UMRS 1116 (S.T., C.L., P.R., A.B.), Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHRU de Nancy (C.L., A.B.), and Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques-Plurithématique 14-33, CHRU Nancy (P.R.), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Cardiology Center, Ghardaia, Algeria (M.T.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (M.K., A.A.)
| | - Carlos Labat
- From the INSERM UMRS 1116 (S.T., C.L., P.R., A.B.), Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHRU de Nancy (C.L., A.B.), and Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques-Plurithématique 14-33, CHRU Nancy (P.R.), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Cardiology Center, Ghardaia, Algeria (M.T.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (M.K., A.A.)
| | - Mohamed Temmar
- From the INSERM UMRS 1116 (S.T., C.L., P.R., A.B.), Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHRU de Nancy (C.L., A.B.), and Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques-Plurithématique 14-33, CHRU Nancy (P.R.), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Cardiology Center, Ghardaia, Algeria (M.T.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (M.K., A.A.)
| | - Patrick Rossignol
- From the INSERM UMRS 1116 (S.T., C.L., P.R., A.B.), Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHRU de Nancy (C.L., A.B.), and Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques-Plurithématique 14-33, CHRU Nancy (P.R.), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Cardiology Center, Ghardaia, Algeria (M.T.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (M.K., A.A.)
| | - Masayuki Kimura
- From the INSERM UMRS 1116 (S.T., C.L., P.R., A.B.), Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHRU de Nancy (C.L., A.B.), and Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques-Plurithématique 14-33, CHRU Nancy (P.R.), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Cardiology Center, Ghardaia, Algeria (M.T.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (M.K., A.A.)
| | - Abraham Aviv
- From the INSERM UMRS 1116 (S.T., C.L., P.R., A.B.), Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHRU de Nancy (C.L., A.B.), and Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques-Plurithématique 14-33, CHRU Nancy (P.R.), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Cardiology Center, Ghardaia, Algeria (M.T.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (M.K., A.A.)
| | - Athanase Benetos
- From the INSERM UMRS 1116 (S.T., C.L., P.R., A.B.), Department of Geriatric Medicine, CHRU de Nancy (C.L., A.B.), and Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques-Plurithématique 14-33, CHRU Nancy (P.R.), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Cardiology Center, Ghardaia, Algeria (M.T.); and Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (M.K., A.A.).
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Williams DM, Buxton JL, Kantomaa MT, Tammelin TH, Blakemore AIF, Järvelin MR. Associations of Leukocyte Telomere Length With Aerobic and Muscular Fitness in Young Adults. Am J Epidemiol 2017; 185:529-537. [PMID: 28338837 PMCID: PMC5860435 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kww123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Decline in both telomere length and physical fitness over the life course may contribute to increased risk of several chronic diseases. The relationship between telomere length and aerobic and muscular fitness is not well characterized. We examined whether there are cross-sectional associations of mean relative leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with objective measures of aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and muscle endurance, using data on 31-year-old participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 4,952–5,205, varying by exposure-outcome analysis). Aerobic fitness was assessed by means of heart rate measurement following a standardized submaximal step test; muscular fitness was assessed by means of a maximal isometric handgrip strength test and a test of lower-back trunk muscle endurance. Longer LTL was associated with higher aerobic fitness and better trunk muscle endurance in models including adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, socioeconomic position, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and C-reactive protein. In a sex-stratified analysis, LTL was not associated with handgrip strength in either men or women. LTL may relate to aspects of physical fitness in young adulthood, but replication of these findings is required, along with further studies to help assess directions and causality in these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan M. Williams
- Correspondence to Dr. Dylan M. Williams, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 281, SE 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden (e-mail: )
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Gebreab SY, Manna ZG, Khan RJ, Riestra P, Xu R, Davis SK. Less Than Ideal Cardiovascular Health Is Associated With Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999-2002. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.116.004105. [PMID: 28154163 PMCID: PMC5523742 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.004105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The associations between individual cardiovascular disease risk factors and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) have been inconclusive. We investigated the association between LTL and overall cardiovascular health (CVH) as defined by the American Heart Association and whether the association is modified by sex and race/ethnicity. Methods and Results We included 5194 adults (aged ≥20) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002. CVH was defined as a composite score of the 7 metrics (smoking, physical activity, diet, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose) and categorized as “poor,” “intermediate,” and “ideal.” LTL was assayed from whole blood using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method relative to standard reference DNA. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the association between CVH and log‐transformed LTL. We found strong graded association between CVH and LTL in the overall sample, with evidence of dose‐response relationship (P for trend=0.013). Individuals with poor and intermediate CVH had significantly shorter LTL than individuals with ideal CVH (−3.4% [95% CI=−6.0%, −0.8%] and −2.4% [−4.4%, −0.3%], respectively), after adjustment for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, and C‐reactive protein. The association was stronger in women (−6.6% [−10.2%, −2.9%] for poor vs ideal CVH) and non‐Hispanic whites (−4.3% [−7.1%, −1.4%] for poor vs ideal CVH). Conclusions The findings suggest that less‐than‐ideal CVH is associated with shorter LTL, but this association varies by sex and race/ethnicity. Future longitudinal research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the association between CVH and LTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson Y Gebreab
- Cardiovascular disease Section, Social Epidemiology Research Unit, Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Disease Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Zerai G Manna
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Rumana J Khan
- Cardiovascular disease Section, Social Epidemiology Research Unit, Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Disease Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Pia Riestra
- Cardiovascular disease Section, Social Epidemiology Research Unit, Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Disease Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ruihua Xu
- Cardiovascular disease Section, Social Epidemiology Research Unit, Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Disease Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sharon K Davis
- Cardiovascular disease Section, Social Epidemiology Research Unit, Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Disease Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Anderson JJ, Li T, Sharrow DJ. Insights into mortality patterns and causes of death through a process point of view model. Biogerontology 2017; 18:149-170. [PMID: 27885527 PMCID: PMC5290203 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-016-9669-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Process point of view (POV) models of mortality, such as the Strehler-Mildvan and stochastic vitality models, represent death in terms of the loss of survival capacity through challenges and dissipation. Drawing on hallmarks of aging, we link these concepts to candidate biological mechanisms through a framework that defines death as challenges to vitality where distal factors defined the age-evolution of vitality and proximal factors define the probability distribution of challenges. To illustrate the process POV, we hypothesize that the immune system is a mortality nexus, characterized by two vitality streams: increasing vitality representing immune system development and immunosenescence representing vitality dissipation. Proximal challenges define three mortality partitions: juvenile and adult extrinsic mortalities and intrinsic adult mortality. Model parameters, generated from Swedish mortality data (1751-2010), exhibit biologically meaningful correspondences to economic, health and cause-of-death patterns. The model characterizes the twentieth century epidemiological transition mainly as a reduction in extrinsic mortality resulting from a shift from high magnitude disease challenges on individuals at all vitality levels to low magnitude stress challenges on low vitality individuals. Of secondary importance, intrinsic mortality was described by a gradual reduction in the rate of loss of vitality presumably resulting from reduction in the rate of immunosenescence. Extensions and limitations of a distal/proximal framework for characterizing more explicit causes of death, e.g. the young adult mortality hump or cancer in old age are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ting Li
- Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
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41
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Needham BL, Hicken MT, Govia IO, Mitchell C, Abdou CM. Maternal Social Disadvantage and Newborn Telomere Length in Archived Dried Blood Spots from the Michigan Neonatal Biobank. BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2017; 63:221-235. [PMID: 29035107 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2017.1300520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Short telomere length is associated with morbidity and mortality among adults and may mark the biological impact of social experiences. Using archived dried blood spots from the Michigan Neonatal Biobank, this study examined markers of maternal social disadvantage (educational attainment, receipt of public assistance, marital status, and race/ethnicity) from linked birth certificates as predictors of telomere length at birth in a sample of 192 singleton neonates born to non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Latina mothers aged 20-35 years. Consistent with two recent studies in newborns, but counter to the idea that maternal social disadvantage is associated with shorter offspring telomere length, we found that infants born to black mothers had longer telomeres than those born to white mothers (b = 0.12, SE = 0.06, p = .05). However, black/white differences in newborn telomere length varied by receipt of public assistance. Among newborns whose mothers received WIC and/or Medicaid, there were no significant black/white differences in telomere length (b = 0.09, SE = 0.08, p = .25). In contrast, among those whose mothers did not receive public assistance-just 6 out of 69 infants born to black mothers versus 41 out of 69 infants born to white mothers-we found that babies born to black mothers had longer telomere length than babies born to white mothers (b = 0.37, SE = 0.16, p = .03). The interaction between black race/ethnicity and receipt of public assistance did not reach the conventional threshold for statistical significance (b = -0.22, SE = 0.15, p = .13), suggesting that this finding may be due to chance. No other markers of maternal social disadvantage were related to infant telomere length. Although replication of these results in a larger sample with more infants born to black mothers with relatively high socioeconomic status is needed, this study offers preliminary support for the hypothesis that race/ethnic differences in newborn telomere length depend on social context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda L Needham
- a Department of Epidemiology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Margaret T Hicken
- b Institute for Social Research , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Ishtar O Govia
- c Epidemiology Research Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute , The University of the West Indies , Mona Campus , Kingston , Jamaica
| | - Colter Mitchell
- b Institute for Social Research , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Cleopatra M Abdou
- d Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and Department of Psychology , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , California , USA
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Lifespan adversity and later adulthood telomere length in the nationally representative US Health and Retirement Study. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E6335-E6342. [PMID: 27698131 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1525602113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress over the lifespan is thought to promote accelerated aging and early disease. Telomere length is a marker of cell aging that appears to be one mediator of this relationship. Telomere length is associated with early adversity and with chronic stressors in adulthood in many studies. Although cumulative lifespan adversity should have bigger impacts than single events, it is also possible that adversity in childhood has larger effects on later life health than adult stressors, as suggested by models of biological embedding in early life. No studies have examined the individual vs. cumulative effects of childhood and adulthood adversities on adult telomere length. Here, we examined the relationship between cumulative childhood and adulthood adversity, adding up a range of severe financial, traumatic, and social exposures, as well as comparing them to each other, in relation to salivary telomere length. We examined 4,598 men and women from the US Health and Retirement Study. Single adversities tended to have nonsignificant relations with telomere length. In adjusted models, lifetime cumulative adversity predicted 6% greater odds of shorter telomere length. This result was mainly due to childhood adversity. In adjusted models for cumulative childhood adversity, the occurrence of each additional childhood event predicted 11% increased odds of having short telomeres. This result appeared mainly because of social/traumatic exposures rather than financial exposures. This study suggests that the shadow of childhood adversity may reach far into later adulthood in part through cellular aging.
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Riscuta G. Nutrigenomics at the Interface of Aging, Lifespan, and Cancer Prevention. J Nutr 2016; 146:1931-1939. [PMID: 27558581 PMCID: PMC5037878 DOI: 10.3945/jn.116.235119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The percentage of elderly people with associated age-related health deterioration, including cancer, has been increasing for decades. Among age-related diseases, the incidence of cancer has grown substantially, in part because of the overlap of some molecular pathways between cancer and aging. Studies with model organisms suggest that aging and age-related conditions are manipulable processes that can be modified by both genetic and environmental factors, including dietary habits. Variations in genetic backgrounds likely lead to differential responses to dietary changes and account for some of the inconsistencies found in the literature. The intricacies of the aging process, coupled with the interrelational role of bioactive food components on gene expression, make this review a complex undertaking. Nevertheless, intriguing evidence suggests that dietary habits can manipulate the aging process and/or its consequences and potentially may have unprecedented health benefits. The present review focuses on 4 cellular events: telomerase activity, bioenergetics, DNA repair, and oxidative stress. These processes are linked to both aging and cancer risk, and their alteration in animal models by selected food components is evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Riscuta
- Nutritional Science Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
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Januszewski AS, Sutanto SS, McLennan S, O'Neal DN, Keech AC, Twigg SM, Jenkins AJ. Shorter telomeres in adults with Type 1 diabetes correlate with diabetes duration, but only weakly with vascular function and risk factors. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2016; 117:4-11. [PMID: 27329016 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2016.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if white blood cell (WBC) telomeres are shorter in Type 1 diabetes (T1D) than in subjects without diabetes (non-DB), and shorter in T1D subjects with vs. without vascular complications; and to determine associations with vascular biomarkers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS WBC relative telomere length (RTL) was determined by quantitative PCR in a cross-sectional study of 140 non-DB and 199 T1D adults, including 128 subjects without vascular complications (T1DNoCx) and 71 subjects with vascular complications (T1DCx). Relationships of RTL with age, T1D duration, arterial elasticity, pulse pressure and vascular risk factors were determined. RESULTS RTL did not differ by gender within T1D and non-DB groups. Age-adjusted RTL was shorter in T1D vs. non-DB subjects (1.48±0.03 AU vs. 1.64±0.04 AU, p=0.002), but did not differ by T1D complication status (T1DNoCX 1.50±0.04 vs. T1DCX 1.46±0.05, p=0.50), nor correlate with arterial elasticity. Univariate analysis in T1D showed RTL correlated (inversely) with age r=-0.27, p=0.0001, T1D duration r=-0.16, p=0.03, and pulse pressure (r=-0.15, p=0.04), but not with HbA1c, BP, renal function (serum creatinine, ACR, eGFR), lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation (CRP, CAMs) or oxidative stress (OxLDL, OxLDL/LDL-C, MPO, PON-1). Multiple regression analysis showed independent determinants of RTL were age and T1D presence (r=0.29, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In this cross-sectional study telomeres were shorter in T1D. RTL correlated inversely with T1D duration, but did not differ by complication status and weakly correlated with pulse pressure and vascular risk factors. Only age and T1D were independent determinants of RTL. Longitudinal studies are merited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej S Januszewski
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Surya S Sutanto
- Greg Brown Diabetes and Endocrine Laboratory, Sydney Medical School, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Susan McLennan
- Greg Brown Diabetes and Endocrine Laboratory, Sydney Medical School, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David N O'Neal
- University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony C Keech
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen M Twigg
- Greg Brown Diabetes and Endocrine Laboratory, Sydney Medical School, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alicia J Jenkins
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Stone RC, Horvath K, Kark JD, Susser E, Tishkoff SA, Aviv A. Telomere Length and the Cancer-Atherosclerosis Trade-Off. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006144. [PMID: 27386863 PMCID: PMC4936693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern humans, the longest-living terrestrial mammals, display short telomeres and repressed telomerase activity in somatic tissues compared with most short-living small mammals. The dual trait of short telomeres and repressed telomerase might render humans relatively resistant to cancer compared with short-living small mammals. However, the trade-off for cancer resistance is ostensibly increased age-related degenerative diseases, principally in the form of atherosclerosis. In this communication, we discuss (a) the genetics of human telomere length, a highly heritable complex trait that is influenced by genetic ancestry, sex, and paternal age at conception, (b) how cancer might have played a role in the evolution of telomere biology across mammals, (c) evidence that in modern humans telomere length is a determinant (rather than only a biomarker) of cancer and atherosclerosis, and (d) the potential influence of relatively recent evolutionary forces in fashioning the variation in telomere length across and within populations, and their likely lasting impact on major diseases in humans. Finally, we propose venues for future research on human telomere genetics in the context of its potential role in shaping the modern human lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivka C. Stone
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Kent Horvath
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Jeremy D. Kark
- Epidemiology Unit, Hebrew University–Hadassah School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ezra Susser
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Tishkoff
- Department of Genetics, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
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The impact of hypertension on leukocyte telomere length: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies. J Hum Hypertens 2016; 31:99-105. [PMID: 27357526 DOI: 10.1038/jhh.2016.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a novel biomarker for age and age-related diseases. Several epidemiological studies have examined the association between telomere length in surrogate tissues (for example, blood cells) and hypertension, and meanwhile the majority of studies reported an association some individual studies do not. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to address the hypothesis that, in humans, telomere length is related with hypertension. Searches were conducted in Pubmed by September 2015 and reference lists of retrieved citations were hand searched. Eligible studies measured telomeres for both hypertensive and normotensive subjects. No restrictions were placed on sample size, publication type, age or gender. We calculated summary estimates using fixed and random effects meta-analysis. Publication bias and heterogeneity among studies were further tested. Meta-analyses from 3097 participants (1415 patients with hypertension and 1682 control subjects) showed a significant standardized mean difference between LTL in hypertensive patients and controls, either in the fixed (P<5 × 10-6) or the random model (P<0.005). Heterogeneity among studies was substantial (Q-statistic P-value <0.001, I2 97.73%). Sensitivity analysis indicated that no single study changed the standardized mean difference qualitatively (0.022> random model P-value >0.002). Egger's test for asymmetry of effect sizes (intercept±s.e.=-7.278±3.574; P=0.072) did not show evidence for strong study publication bias. Leukocyte telomeres may be shorter in hypertensive than in normotensive individuals. Larger studies controlling for confounder effects are needed to confirm these findings and further explore sources of heterogeneity.
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Rietzschel ER, Bekaert S, De Meyer T. Telomeres and Atherosclerosis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2016; 67:2477-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Factor-Litvak P, Susser E, Kezios K, McKeague I, Kark JD, Hoffman M, Kimura M, Wapner R, Aviv A. Leukocyte Telomere Length in Newborns: Implications for the Role of Telomeres in Human Disease. Pediatrics 2016; 137:peds.2015-3927. [PMID: 26969272 PMCID: PMC4811318 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-3927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE In adults, leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is variable, familial, and longer in women and in offspring conceived by older fathers. Although short LTL is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, long LTL is associated with major cancers. The prevailing notion is that LTL is a "telomeric clock," whose movement (expressed in LTL attrition) reflects the pace of aging. Accordingly, individuals with short LTL are considered to be biologically older than their peers. Recent studies suggest that LTL is largely determined before adulthood. We examined whether factors that largely characterize LTL in adults also influence LTL in newborns. METHODS LTL was measured in blood samples from 490 newborns and their parents. RESULTS LTL (mean ± SD) was longer (9.50 ± 0.70 kb) in newborns than in their mothers (7.92 ± 0.67 kb) and fathers (7.70 ± 0.71 kb) (both P < .0001); there was no difference in the variance of LTL among the 3 groups. Newborn LTL correlated more strongly with age-adjusted LTL in mothers (r = 0.47; P < .01) than in fathers (r = 0.36; P < .01) (P for interaction = .02). Newborn LTL was longer by 0.144 kb in girls than in boys (P = .02), and LTL was longer by 0.175 kb in mothers than in fathers (P < .0001). For each 1-year increase in father's age, newborn LTL increased by 0.016 kb (95% confidence interval: 0.04 to 0.28) (P = .0086). CONCLUSIONS The large LTL variation across newborns challenges the telomeric clock model. Having inherently short or long LTL may be largely determined at birth, anteceding by decades disease manifestation in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ezra Susser
- Departments of Epidemiology, and,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | | | - Ian McKeague
- Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Jeremy D. Kark
- Hebrew University, Hadassah School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Matthew Hoffman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
| | - Masayuki Kimura
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey; and
| | - Ronald Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey; and
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Zhou Y, Ning Z, Lee Y, Hambly BD, McLachlan CS. Shortened leukocyte telomere length in type 2 diabetes mellitus: genetic polymorphisms in mitochondrial uncoupling proteins and telomeric pathways. Clin Transl Med 2016; 5:8. [PMID: 26951191 PMCID: PMC4781821 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-016-0089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Current debate in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has focused on shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as the result of a number of possible causes, including polymorphisms in mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) leading to oxidative stress, telomere regulatory pathway gene polymorphisms, or as a direct result of associated cardiovascular complications inducing tissue organ inflammation and oxidative stress. There is evidence that a heritable shorter telomere trait is a risk factor for development of T2DM. This review discusses the contribution and balance of genetic regulation of UCPs and telomere pathways in the context of T2DM. We discuss genotypes that are well known to influence the shortening of LTL, in particular OBFC1 and telomerase genotypes such as TERC. Interestingly, the interaction between short telomeres and T2DM risk appears to involve mitochondrial dysfunction as an intermediate process. A hypothesis is presented that genetic heterogeneity within UCPs may directly affect oxidative stress that feeds back to influence the fine balance of telomere regulation, cell cycle regulation and diabetes risk and/or metabolic disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Zhou
- Faculty of Medicine, Rural Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Samuels Building, Level 3, Room 327, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
| | - Zhixin Ning
- Faculty of Medicine, Rural Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Samuels Building, Level 3, Room 327, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
| | - Yvonne Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, Rural Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Samuels Building, Level 3, Room 327, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
| | - Brett D Hambly
- Discipline of Pathology, Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Craig S McLachlan
- Faculty of Medicine, Rural Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Samuels Building, Level 3, Room 327, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
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Barger SD, Cribbet MR. Social support sources matter: Increased cellular aging among adults with unsupportive spouses. Biol Psychol 2016; 115:43-9. [PMID: 26780266 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Social support is associated with better health but it is unknown whether the health advantages of social support depend on the support source. Using a probability sample of older U.S. adults (n=1430) we compared leukocyte telomere length, a biomarker of cellular aging, between married adults whose support sources either did or did not include their spouse. Despite having social support from other sources, participants who lacked spousal support had shorter telomeres relative to those with spousal support. The size of this telomere difference was comparable to differences between men and women and was independent of sociodemographic variables, coronary heart disease risk, diagnosed chronic disease and other social relationship resources such as the number of support sources, the number of friends, or the availability of financial support. Our findings suggest that relative to other sources of social support, spousal support may be especially important for cellular aging, a general biological mechanism that is implicated in age-related chronic disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D Barger
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, NAU Box 15106, 1100 South Beaver Street, Building #60, Room #338, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States.
| | - Matthew R Cribbet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O' Hara Street, Room E-1133, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
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