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Babington S, Tilbrook AJ, Maloney SK, Fernandes JN, Crowley TM, Ding L, Fox AH, Zhang S, Kho EA, Cozzolino D, Mahony TJ, Blache D. Finding biomarkers of experience in animals. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2024; 15:28. [PMID: 38374201 PMCID: PMC10877933 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00989-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
At a time when there is a growing public interest in animal welfare, it is critical to have objective means to assess the way that an animal experiences a situation. Objectivity is critical to ensure appropriate animal welfare outcomes. Existing behavioural, physiological, and neurobiological indicators that are used to assess animal welfare can verify the absence of extremely negative outcomes. But welfare is more than an absence of negative outcomes and an appropriate indicator should reflect the full spectrum of experience of an animal, from negative to positive. In this review, we draw from the knowledge of human biomedical science to propose a list of candidate biological markers (biomarkers) that should reflect the experiential state of non-human animals. The proposed biomarkers can be classified on their main function as endocrine, oxidative stress, non-coding molecular, and thermobiological markers. We also discuss practical challenges that must be addressed before any of these biomarkers can become useful to assess the experience of an animal in real-life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Babington
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Alan J Tilbrook
- Centre for Animal Science, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia
| | - Shane K Maloney
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Jill N Fernandes
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia
| | - Tamsyn M Crowley
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3217, Australia
- Poultry Hub Australia, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia
| | - Luoyang Ding
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Archa H Fox
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Song Zhang
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Elise A Kho
- Centre for Animal Science, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Cozzolino
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Timothy J Mahony
- Centre for Animal Science, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Dominique Blache
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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2
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Alaasam VJ, Hui C, Lomas J, Ferguson SM, Zhang Y, Yim WC, Ouyang JQ. What happens when the lights are left on? Transcriptomic and phenotypic habituation to light pollution. iScience 2024; 27:108864. [PMID: 38318353 PMCID: PMC10839644 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a ubiquitous pollutant worldwide. Exposure can induce immediate behavioral and physiological changes in animals, sometimes leading to severe health consequences. Nevertheless, many organisms persist in light-polluted environments and may have mechanisms of habituating, reducing responses to repeated exposure over time, but this has yet to be tested experimentally. Here, we tested whether zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) can habituate to dim (0.3 lux) ALAN, measuring behavior, physiology (oxidative stress and telomere attrition), and gene expression in a repeated measures design, over 6 months. We present evidence of tolerance to chronic exposure, persistent behavioral responses lasting 8 weeks post-exposure, and attenuation of responses to re-exposure. Oxidative stress decreased under chronic ALAN. Changes in the blood transcriptome revealed unique responses to past exposure and re-exposure. Results demonstrate organismal resilience to chronic stressors and shed light on the capacity of birds to persist in an increasingly light-polluted world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cassandra Hui
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno 89503, NV, USA
| | - Johnathan Lomas
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno 89503, NV, USA
| | | | - Yong Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Cambridge-Suda Genomic Resource Center, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Won Cheol Yim
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno 89503, NV, USA
| | - Jenny Q. Ouyang
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno 89503, NV, USA
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3
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Westneat DF, Young RC, Cones AG, Kucera AC, Anacleto A, Heidinger BJ. Early-life telomeres are influenced by environments acting at multiple temporal and spatial scales. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:5959-5970. [PMID: 37837282 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
An individual's telomere length early in life may reflect or contribute to key life-history processes sensitive to environmental variation. Yet, the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors in shaping early-life telomere length is not well understood as it requires samples collected from multiple generations with known developmental histories. We used a confirmed pedigree and conducted an animal model analysis of telomere lengths obtained from nestling house sparrows (Passer domesticus) sampled over a span of 22 years. We found significant additive genetic variation for early-life telomere length, but it comprised a small proportion (9%) of the total biological variation. Three sources of environmental variation were important: among cohorts, among-breeding attempts within years, and among nestmates. The magnitude of variation among breeding attempts and among nestmates also differed by cohort, suggesting that interactive effects of environmental factors across time or spatial scales were important, yet we were unable to identify the specific causes of these interactions. The mean amount of precipitation during the breeding season positively predicted telomere length, but neither weather during a given breeding attempt nor date in the breeding season contributed to an offspring's telomere length. At the level of individual nestlings, offspring sex, size and mass at 10 days of age also did not predict telomere length. Environmental effects appear especially important in shaping early-life telomere length in some species, and more focus on how environmental factors that interact across scales may help to explain some of the variation observed among studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F Westneat
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Rebecca C Young
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Alexandra G Cones
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Aurelia C Kucera
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Angelo Anacleto
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Britt J Heidinger
- Department of Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
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4
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Pepke ML, Ringsby TH, Eisenberg DTA. The evolution of early-life telomere length, pace-of-life and telomere-chromosome length dynamics in birds. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2898-2912. [PMID: 36847070 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres, the short DNA sequences that protect chromosome ends, are an ancient molecular structure, which is highly conserved across most eukaryotes. Species differ in their telomere lengths, but the causes of this variation are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that mean early-life telomere length is an evolutionary labile trait across 57 bird species (representing 35 families in 12 orders) with the greatest trait diversity found among passerines. Among these species, telomeres are significantly shorter in fast-lived than in slow-lived species, suggesting that telomere length may have evolved to mediate trade-offs between physiological requirements underlying the diversity of pace-of-life strategies in birds. This association was attenuated when excluding studies that may include interstitial telomeres in the estimation of mean telomere length. Curiously, within some species, larger individual chromosome size predicts longer telomere lengths on that chromosome, leading to the hypothesis that telomere length also covaries with chromosome length across species. We show that longer mean chromosome length or genome size tends to be associated with longer mean early-life telomere length (measured across all chromosomes) within a phylogenetic framework constituting up to 31 bird species. These associations were strengthened when excluding highly influential outliers. However, sensitivity analyses suggested that they were susceptible to sample size effects and not robust to the exclusion of studies that may include interstitial telomeres. Combined, our analyses generalize patterns previously found within a few species and provide potential adaptive explanations for the 10-fold variation in telomere lengths observed among birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Le Pepke
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thor Harald Ringsby
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dan T A Eisenberg
- Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Centre for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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5
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Zamora-Camacho FJ, Burraco P, Zambrano-Fernández S, Aragón P. Ammonium effects on oxidative stress, telomere length, and locomotion across life stages of an anuran from habitats with contrasting land-use histories. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160924. [PMID: 36526187 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanistic implications behind wildlife responses to global changes is a central topic in eco-evolutionary research. In particular, anthropic pollution is known to impact wild populations across the globe, which may have even stronger consequences for species with complex life cycles. Among vertebrates, amphibians represent a paradigmatic example of metamorphosis, and their characteristics make them highly vulnerable to pollution. Here, we tested for differences in the redox status, telomere length, and locomotor performance across life stages of green frogs (Pelophylax perezi) from agrosystem and natural habitats, both constitutively and in response to an experimental ammonium exposure (10 mg/L). We found that larvae from the agrosystem constitutively showed an enhanced redox status (better antioxidant balance against H2O2, lower lipid peroxidation) but shorter telomeres as compared to larvae from the natural environment. The larval redox response to ammonium was, overall, similar in both habitats. In contrast, after metamorphosis, the redox status of individuals from the natural habitat seemed to cope better with ammonium exposure (denoted by lower lipid peroxidation), and differences between habitats in telomere length were no longer present. Intriguingly, while the swimming performance of larvae did not correlate with individual's physiology, metamorphs with lower glutathione reductase activity and longer telomeres had a better jumping performance. This may suggest that locomotor performance is both traded off with the production of reactive oxygen species and potentiated directly by longer telomeres or indirectly by the mechanisms that buffer their shortening. Overall, our study suggests that contrasting land-use histories can drive divergence in physiological pathways linked to individual health and lifespan. Since this pattern was life-stage dependent, divergent habitat conditions can have contrasting implications across the ontogenetic development of species with complex life cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Zamora-Camacho
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pablo Burraco
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | | | - Pedro Aragón
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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6
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Burraco P, Hernandez-Gonzalez M, Metcalfe NB, Monaghan P. Ageing across the great divide: tissue transformation, organismal growth and temperature shape telomere dynamics through the metamorphic transition. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222448. [PMID: 36750187 PMCID: PMC9904946 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere attrition is considered a useful indicator of cellular and whole-organism ageing rate. While approximately 80% of animal species undergo metamorphosis that includes extensive tissue transformations (involving cell division, apoptosis, de-differentiation and de novo formation of stem cells), the effect on telomere dynamics is unknown. We measured telomeres in Xenopus laevis developing from larvae to adults under contrasting environmental temperatures. Telomere dynamics were linked to the degree of tissue transformation during development. Average telomere length in gut tissue increased dramatically during metamorphosis, when the gut shortens by 75% and epithelial cells de-differentiate into stem cells. In the liver (retained from larva) and hindlimb muscle (newly formed before metamorphosis), telomeres gradually shortened until adulthood, likely due to extensive cell division. Tail muscle telomere lengths were constant until tail resorption, and those in heart (retained from larva) showed no change over time. Telomere lengths negatively correlated with larval growth, but for a given growth rate, telomeres were shorter in cooler conditions, suggesting that growing in the cold is more costly. Telomere lengths were not related to post-metamorphic growth rate. Further research is now needed to understand whether telomere dynamics are a good indicator of ageing rate in species undergoing metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Burraco
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- Ecology, Evolution and Development Group, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel Hernandez-Gonzalez
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Neil B. Metcalfe
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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7
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Salmón P, Burraco P. Telomeres and anthropogenic disturbances in wildlife: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6018-6039. [PMID: 35080073 PMCID: PMC9790527 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Human-driven environmental changes are affecting wildlife across the globe. These challenges do not influence species or populations to the same extent and therefore a comprehensive evaluation of organismal health is needed to determine their ultimate impact. Evidence suggests that telomeres (the terminal chromosomal regions) are sensitive to environmental conditions and have been posited as a surrogate for animal health and fitness. Evaluation of their use in an applied ecological context is still scarce. Here, using information from molecular and occupational biomedical studies, we aim to provide ecologists and evolutionary biologists with an accessible synthesis of the links between human disturbances and telomere length. In addition, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies measuring telomere length in wild/wild-derived animals facing anthropogenic disturbances. Despite the relatively small number of studies to date, our meta-analysis revealed a significant small negative association between disturbances and telomere length (-0.092 [-0.153, -0.031]; n = 28; k = 159). Yet, our systematic review suggests that the use of telomeres as a biomarker to understand the anthropogenic impact on wildlife is limited. We propose some research avenues that will help to broadly evaluate their suitability: (i) further causal studies on the link between human disturbances and telomeres; (ii) investigating the organismal implications, in terms of fitness and performance, of a given telomere length in anthropogenically disturbed scenarios; and (iii) better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of telomere dynamics. Future studies in these facets will help to ultimately determine their role as markers of health and fitness in wildlife facing anthropogenic disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Salmón
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK,Department of Plant Biology and EcologyFaculty of Science and TechnologyUniversity of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)LeioaSpain
| | - Pablo Burraco
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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8
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Remot F, Ronget V, Froy H, Rey B, Gaillard JM, Nussey DH, Lemaitre JF. Decline in telomere length with increasing age across nonhuman vertebrates: A meta-analysis. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5917-5932. [PMID: 34437736 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The prediction that telomere length (TL) shortens with increasing age is a major element in considering the role of telomeres as a key player in evolution. While telomere attrition is found in humans both in vitro and in vivo, the increasing number of studies reporting diverse age-specific patterns of TL challenges the hypothesis of a universal decline of TL with increasing age. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the relationship between TL and age across 175 estimates encompassing 98 species of vertebrates. We found that, on average, TL does decline with increasing age during adulthood. However, this decline was weak and variable across vertebrate classes, and we also found evidence for a publication bias that might weaken our current evidence of decreasing TL with increasing age. We found no evidence for a faster decline in TL with increasing age when considering the juvenile stage (from birth to age at first reproduction) compared to the adult stage. Heterogeneity in TL ageing rates was explained by the method used to measure telomeres: detectable TL declines with increasing age were found only among studies using TRF with in-gel hybridisation and qFISH methods, but not in studies using qPCR and Southern blot-based TRF methods. While we confirmed that TL declines with increasing age in most adult vertebrates, our results identify an influence of telomere measurement methodology, which highlights the need to examine more thoroughly the effect of the method of measurement on TL estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentin Remot
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Victor Ronget
- Unité Eco-anthropologie (EA), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Hannah Froy
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Benjamin Rey
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean-Michel Gaillard
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Daniel H Nussey
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jean-François Lemaitre
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
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9
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Bauch C, Gatt MC, Verhulst S, Granadeiro JP, Catry P. Higher mercury contamination is associated with shorter telomeres in a long-lived seabird - A direct effect or a consequence of among-individual variation in phenotypic quality? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156359. [PMID: 35654175 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a heavy metal, which is pervasive and persistent in the marine environment. It bioaccumulates within organisms and biomagnifies in the marine food chain. Due to its high toxicity, mercury contamination is a major concern for wildlife and human health. Telomere length is a biomarker of aging and health, because it predicts survival, making it a potential tool to investigate sublethal effects of mercury contamination. However, the relationship between telomeres and mercury contamination is unclear. We measured feather mercury concentration in Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris borealis, long-lived seabirds and top predators, between 9 and 35 years of age and related it to telomere length in erythrocytes. Cory's Shearwaters with higher mercury concentrations had shorter telomeres and the effect was sex-dependent, reaching significance in males only. This may be explained by the fact that males have longer telomeres and higher and more variable mercury concentrations than females in this population. The mercury effect on telomere length was stronger on longer telomeres in the genome within individuals. We discuss the hypotheses that the negative correlation could either be a direct effect of mercury on telomere shortening and/or a consequence of variation in phenotypic quality among individuals that results in a covariation between mercury contamination and telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bauch
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Marie Claire Gatt
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - José Pedro Granadeiro
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo Catry
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
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Vernasco BJ, Watts HE. Telomere length predicts timing and intensity of migratory behaviour in a nomadic songbird. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220176. [PMID: 35920029 PMCID: PMC9346355 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of state-dependent behaviour is reliant on identifying physiological indicators of condition. Telomeres are of growing interest for understanding behaviour as they capture differences in biological state and residual lifespan. To understand the significance of variable telomere lengths for behaviour and test two hypotheses describing the relationship between telomeres and behaviour (i.e. the causation and the selective adoption hypotheses), we assessed if telomere lengths are longitudinally repeatable traits related to spring migratory behaviour in captive pine siskins (Spinus pinus). Pine siskins are nomadic songbirds that exhibit highly flexible, facultative migrations, including a period of spring nomadism. Captive individuals exhibit extensive variation in spring migratory restlessness and are an excellent system for mechanistic studies of migratory behaviour. Telomere lengths were found to be significantly repeatable (R = 0.51) over four months, and shorter pre-migratory telomeres were associated with earlier and more intense expression of spring nocturnal migratory restlessness. Telomere dynamics did not vary with migratory behaviour. Our results describe the relationship between telomere length and migratory behaviour and provide support for the selective adoption hypothesis. More broadly, we provide a novel perspective on the significance of variable telomere lengths for animal behaviour and the timing of annual cycle events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Vernasco
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Heather E Watts
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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11
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Quque M, Ferreira C, Sosa S, Schull Q, Zahn S, Criscuolo F, Bleu J, Viblanc VA. Cascading effects of conspecific aggression on oxidative status and telomere length in zebra finches. Physiol Biochem Zool 2022; 95:416-429. [DOI: 10.1086/721252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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12
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Inbreeding is associated with shorter early-life telomere length in a wild passerine. CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01441-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractInbreeding can have negative effects on survival and reproduction, which may be of conservation concern in small and isolated populations. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression are not well-known. The length of telomeres, the DNA sequences protecting chromosome ends, has been associated with health or fitness in several species. We investigated effects of inbreeding on early-life telomere length in two small island populations of wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus) known to be affected by inbreeding depression. Using genomic measures of inbreeding we found that inbred nestling house sparrows (n = 371) have significantly shorter telomeres. Using pedigree-based estimates of inbreeding we found a tendency for inbred nestling house sparrows to have shorter telomeres (n = 1195). This negative effect of inbreeding on telomere length may have been complemented by a heterosis effect resulting in longer telomeres in individuals that were less inbred than the population average. Furthermore, we found some evidence of stronger effects of inbreeding on telomere length in males than females. Thus, telomere length may reveal subtle costs of inbreeding in the wild and demonstrate a route by which inbreeding negatively impacts the physiological state of an organism already at early life-history stages.
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13
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Wolf SE, Rosvall KA. A multi-tissue view on telomere dynamics and postnatal growth. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:346-355. [PMID: 34964306 PMCID: PMC8989676 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Trade-offs between growth and self-maintenance are common in nature, such that early-life effects on growth can generate lasting consequences on survival and longevity. Telomeres-putative biomarkers of self-maintenance-may link early growth with these later phenotypic effects, but evidence for growth-telomere trade-offs is mixed. Null or even positive relationships between growth and telomeres may be driven by heterogeneity in resource availability or invariable allocation towards telomere maintenance within a population. We used nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to assess the directionality and timing of relationships between growth and telomere length in several tissues. We focused on two important phases of growth: first, the peak of postnatal growth occurring around 6 days old when nestlings grow by ~33% in a single day, and subsequently, the later phase of growth occurring as body mass plateaus near adult size at 12 days old. We quantified telomere attrition in blood during postnatal growth, as well as telomere length in the blood, brain, adrenals, and liver at 12 days old. Growth was unrelated to telomere length in the liver and telomere dynamics in blood. However, brain telomere length was positively correlated with peak growth, and adrenal telomere length was positively related to later growth, particularly for chicks that had experienced a temporary stressor. These observations suggest that variation in resource availability may mask trade-offs, generating positive correlations between growth and telomere length at the population level. They also provide insights into complex relationships between growth and self-maintenance that can be revealed by looking in multiple tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Wolf
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Kimberly A Rosvall
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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14
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Roast MJ, Eastwood JR, Aranzamendi NH, Fan M, Teunissen N, Verhulst S, Peters A. Telomere length declines with age, but relates to immune function independent of age in a wild passerine. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:212012. [PMID: 35601455 PMCID: PMC9043702 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.212012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) shortens with age but telomere dynamics can relate to fitness components independent of age. Immune function often relates to such fitness components and can also interact with telomeres. Studying the link between TL and immune function may therefore help us understand telomere-fitness associations. We assessed the relationships between erythrocyte TL and four immune indices (haptoglobin, natural antibodies (NAbs), complement activity (CA) and heterophil-lymphocyte (HL) ratio; n = 477-589), from known-aged individuals of a wild passerine (Malurus coronatus). As expected, we find that TL significantly declined with age. To verify whether associations between TL and immune function were independent of parallel age-related changes (e.g. immunosenescence), we statistically controlled for sampling age and used within-subject centring of TL to separate relationships within or between individuals. We found that TL positively predicted CA at the between-individual level (individuals with longer average TL had higher CA), but no other immune indices. By contrast, age predicted the levels of NAbs and HL ratio, allowing inference that respective associations between TL and age with immune indices are independent. Any links existing between TL and fitness are therefore unlikely to be strongly mediated by innate immune function, while TL and immune indices appear independent expressions of individual heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Roast
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Justin R. Eastwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | | | - Marie Fan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Niki Teunissen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
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15
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Morosinotto C, Bensch S, Tarka M, Karell P. Heritability and parental effects in telomere length in a color polymorphic long-lived bird. Physiol Biochem Zool 2022; 95:350-364. [DOI: 10.1086/720161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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16
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Pal J, Rajput Y, Shrivastava S, Gahine R, Mungutwar V, Barardiya T, Chandrakar A, Ramakrishna PP, Mishra SS, Banjara H, Choudhary V, Patra PK, Shammas MA. A standalone approach to utilize telomere length measurement as a surveillance tool in oral leukoplakia. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:1650-1660. [PMID: 34725903 PMCID: PMC9019888 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is often preceded by a white patch on a surface of the mouth, called oral leukoplakia (OL). As accelerated telomere length (TL) shortening in dividing epithelial cells may lead to oncogenic transformation, telomere length measurement could serve as a predictive biomarker in OL. However, due to high variability and lack of a universal reference, there has been a limited translational application. Here, we describe an approach of evaluating TL using paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as an internal reference and demonstrate its translational relevance. Oral brush biopsy and paired venous blood were collected from 50 male OL patients and 44 male healthy controls (HC). Relative TL was measured by quantitative PCR. TL of each OL or healthy sample was normalized to the paired PBMC sample (TL ratio). In OL patients, the mean TL ratio was significantly smaller not only in the patch but also in distal normal oral tissue, relative to healthy controls without a high‐risk oral habit. Dysplasia was frequently associated with a subgroup that showed a normal TL ratio at the patch but significantly smaller TL ratio at a paired normal distal site. Our data suggest that evaluation of TL attrition using a paired PBMC sample eliminates the requirement of external reference DNA, makes data universally comparable and provides a useful marker to define high‐risk OL groups for follow‐up programs. Larger studies will further validate the approach and its broader application in other premalignant conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagannath Pal
- Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit (MRU), Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Yogita Rajput
- Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit (MRU), Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Shruti Shrivastava
- Department of Pathology, Govt. Medical College, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India.,Department of Pathology, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Renuka Gahine
- Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit (MRU), Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.,Department of Pathology, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Varsha Mungutwar
- Department of ENT, Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital & Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Tripti Barardiya
- Department of Biochemistry, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Ankur Chandrakar
- Department of ENT, Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital & Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | | | | | - Hansa Banjara
- Department of ENT, Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital & Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Vivek Choudhary
- Regional Cancer Centre, Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Pradeep K Patra
- Department of Biochemistry, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Masood A Shammas
- Harvard (Dana Farber) Cancer Institute and VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, USA
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17
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Zane L, Ensminger DC, Vázquez-Medina JP. Short-term elevations in glucocorticoids do not alter telomere lengths: A systematic review and meta-analysis of non-primate vertebrate studies. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257370. [PMID: 34597314 PMCID: PMC8486123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The neuroendocrine stress response allows vertebrates to cope with stressors via the activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which ultimately results in the secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs). Glucocorticoids have pleiotropic effects on behavior and physiology, and might influence telomere length dynamics. During a stress event, GCs mobilize energy towards survival mechanisms rather than to telomere maintenance. Additionally, reactive oxygen species produced in response to increased GC levels can damage telomeres, also leading to telomere shortening. In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we tested whether GC levels impact telomere length and if this relationship differs among time frame, life history stage, or stressor type. We hypothesized that elevated GC levels are linked to a decrease in telomere length. Methods We conducted a literature search for studies investigating the relationship between telomere length and GCs in non-human vertebrates using four search engines: Web of Science, Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus, last searched on September 27th, 2020. This review identified 31 studies examining the relationship between GCs and telomere length. We pooled the data using Fisher’s Z for 15 of these studies. All quantitative studies underwent a risk of bias assessment. This systematic review study was registered in the Open Science Framework Registry (https://osf.io/rqve6). Results The pooled effect size from fifteen studies and 1066 study organisms shows no relationship between GCs and telomere length (Fisher’s Z = 0.1042, 95% CI = 0.0235; 0.1836). Our meta-analysis synthesizes results from 15 different taxa from the mammalian, avian, amphibian groups. While these results support some previous findings, other studies have found a direct relationship between GCs and telomere dynamics, suggesting underlying mechanisms or concepts that were not taken into account in our analysis. The risk of bias assessment revealed an overall low risk of bias with occasional instances of bias from missing outcome data or bias in the reported result. Conclusion We highlight the need for more targeted experiments to understand how conditions, such as experimental timeframes, stressor(s), and stressor magnitudes can drive a relationship between the neuroendocrine stress response and telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Zane
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - David C. Ensminger
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
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18
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Andrews C, Zuidersma E, Verhulst S, Nettle D, Bateson M. Exposure to food insecurity increases energy storage and reduces somatic maintenance in European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:211099. [PMID: 34540262 PMCID: PMC8441118 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Birds exposed to food insecurity-defined as temporally variable access to food-respond adaptively by storing more energy. To do this, they may reduce energy allocation to other functions such as somatic maintenance and repair. To investigate this trade-off, we exposed juvenile European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris, n = 69) to 19 weeks of either uninterrupted food availability or a regime where food was unpredictably unavailable for a 5-h period on 5 days each week. Our measures of energy storage were mass and fat scores. Our measures of somatic maintenance were the growth rate of a plucked feather, and erythrocyte telomere length (TL), measured by analysis of the terminal restriction fragment. The insecure birds were heavier than the controls, by an amount that varied over time. They also had higher fat scores. We found no evidence that they consumed more food overall, though our food consumption data were incomplete. Plucked feathers regrew more slowly in the insecure birds. TL was reduced in the insecure birds, specifically, in the longer percentiles of the within-individual TL distribution. We conclude that increased energy storage in response to food insecurity is achieved at the expense of investment in somatic maintenance and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Andrews
- Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Erica Zuidersma
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Nettle
- Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Melissa Bateson
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
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19
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Power ML, Power S, Bertelsen MF, Jones G, Teeling EC. Wing: A suitable nonlethal tissue type for repeatable and rapid telomere length estimates in bats. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:421-432. [PMID: 33049101 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are used increasingly in ecology and evolution as biomarkers for ageing and environmental stress, and are typically measured from DNA extracted from nonlethally sampled blood. However, obtaining blood is not always possible in field conditions and only limited amounts can be taken from small mammals, such as bats, which moreover lack nucleated red blood cells and hence yield relatively low amounts of DNA. As telomere length can vary within species according to age and tissue, it is important to determine which tissues serve best as a representation of the organism as a whole. Here, we investigated whether wing tissue biopsies, a rapid and relatively noninvasive tissue collection method, could serve as a proxy for other tissues when measuring relative telomere length (rTL) in the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus). Telomeres were measured from blood, brain, heart, kidney, liver lung, muscle and wing, and multiple wing biopsies were taken from the same individuals to determine intra-individual repeatability of rTL measured by using qPCR. Wing rTL correlated with rTL estimates from most tissues apart from blood. Blood rTL was not significantly correlated with rTL from any other tissue. Blood and muscle rTLs were significantly longer compared with other tissues, while lung displayed the shortest rTLs. Individual repeatability of rTL measures from wing tissue was high (>70%). Here we show the relationships between tissue telomere dynamics for the first time in a bat, and our results provide support for the use of wing tissue for rTL measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Power
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarahjane Power
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mads F Bertelsen
- Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma C Teeling
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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20
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Stier A, Metcalfe NB, Monaghan P. Pace and stability of embryonic development affect telomere dynamics: an experimental study in a precocial bird model. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201378. [PMID: 32842933 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal effects on telomere length are increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to the developmental origin of health and adult disease. While it is becoming clear that telomere length is influenced by prenatal conditions, the factors affecting telomere dynamics during embryogenesis remain poorly understood. We manipulated both the pace and stability of embryonic development through varying incubation temperature and its stability in Japanese quail. We investigated the impact on telomere dynamics from embryogenesis to adulthood, together with three potential drivers of telomere shortening, growth rate, oxidative damage and prenatal glucocorticoid levels. Telomere length was not affected by our prenatal manipulation for the first 75% of embryogenesis, but was reduced at hatching in groups experiencing faster (i.e. high temperature) or less stable embryonic development. These early life differences in telomere length persisted until adulthood. The effect of developmental instability on telomere length at hatching was potentially mediated by an increased secretion of glucocorticoid hormones during development. Both the pace and the stability of embryo development appear to be key factors determining telomere length and dynamics into adulthood, with fast and less stable development leading to shorter telomeres, with the potential for adverse associated outcomes in terms of reduced longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Stier
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Neil B Metcalfe
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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21
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Casagrande S, Stier A, Monaghan P, Loveland JL, Boner W, Lupi S, Trevisi R, Hau M. Increased glucocorticoid concentrations in early life cause mitochondrial inefficiency and short telomeres. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb222513. [PMID: 32532864 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.222513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are DNA structures that protect chromosome ends. However, telomeres shorten during cell replication and at critically low lengths can reduce cell replicative potential, induce cell senescence and decrease fitness. Stress exposure, which elevates glucocorticoid hormone concentrations, can exacerbate telomere attrition. This phenomenon has been attributed to increased oxidative stress generated by glucocorticoids ('oxidative stress hypothesis'). We recently suggested that glucocorticoids could increase telomere attrition during stressful periods by reducing the resources available for telomere maintenance through changes in the metabolic machinery ('metabolic telomere attrition hypothesis'). Here, we tested whether experimental increases in glucocorticoid levels affected telomere length and mitochondrial function in wild great tit (Parus major) nestlings during the energy-demanding early growth period. We monitored resulting corticosterone (Cort) concentrations in plasma and red blood cells, telomere lengths and mitochondrial metabolism (metabolic rate, proton leak, oxidative phosphorylation, maximal mitochondrial capacity and mitochondrial inefficiency). We assessed oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolites as well as the total non-enzymatic antioxidant protection in plasma. Compared with control nestlings, Cort-nestlings had higher baseline corticosterone, shorter telomeres and higher mitochondrial metabolic rate. Importantly, Cort-nestlings showed increased mitochondrial proton leak, leading to a decreased ATP production efficiency. Treatment groups did not differ in oxidative damage or antioxidants. Hence, glucocorticoid-induced telomere attrition is associated with changes in mitochondrial metabolism, but not with ROS production. These findings support the hypothesis that shortening of telomere length during stressful periods is mediated by glucocorticoids through metabolic rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Casagrande
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Evolutionary Physiology Group, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Antoine Stier
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Jasmine L Loveland
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Behavioural Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology Group, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Winifred Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Sara Lupi
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Evolutionary Physiology Group, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, A-1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rachele Trevisi
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Evolutionary Physiology Group, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Michaela Hau
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Evolutionary Physiology Group, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, D-78464 Konstanz, Germany
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22
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Ineson KM, O’Shea TJ, Kilpatrick CW, Parise KL, Foster JT. Ambiguities in using telomere length for age determination in two North American bat species. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe age of an animal, determined by time (chronological age) as well as genetic and environmental factors (biological age), influences the likelihood of mortality and reproduction and thus the animal’s contribution to population growth. For many long-lived species, such as bats, a lack of external and morphological indicators has made determining age a challenge, leading researchers to examine genetic markers of age for application to demographic studies. One widely studied biomarker of age is telomere length, which has been related both to chronological and biological age across taxa, but only recently has begun to be studied in bats. We assessed telomere length from the DNA of known-age and minimum known-age individuals of two bat species using a quantitative PCR assay. We determined that telomere length was quadratically related to chronological age in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), although it had little predictive power for accurate age determination of unknown-age individuals. The relationship was different in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), where telomere length instead was correlated with biological age, apparently due to infection and wing damage associated with white-nose syndrome. Furthermore, we showed that wing biopsies currently are a better tissue source for studying telomere length in bats than guano and buccal swabs; the results from the latter group were more variable and potentially influenced by storage time. Refinement of collection and assessment methods for different non-lethally collected tissues will be important for longitudinal sampling to better understand telomere dynamics in these long-lived species. Although further work is needed to develop a biomarker capable of determining chronological age in bats, our results suggest that biological age, as reflected in telomere length, may be influenced by extrinsic stressors such as disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Ineson
- Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Thomas J O’Shea
- United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Katy L Parise
- Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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23
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Olsson M, Geraghty NJ, Wapstra E, Wilson M. Telomere length varies substantially between blood cell types in a reptile. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:192136. [PMID: 32742684 PMCID: PMC7353983 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.192136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are repeat sequences of non-coding DNA-protein molecules that cap or intersperse metazoan chromosomes. Interest in telomeres has increased exponentially in recent years, to now include their ongoing dynamics and evolution within natural populations where individuals vary in telomere attributes. Phylogenetic analyses show profound differences in telomere length across non-model taxa. However, telomeres may also differ in length within individuals and between tissues. The latter becomes a potential source of error when researchers use different tissues for extracting DNA for telomere analysis and scientific inference. A commonly used tissue type for assessing telomere length is blood, a tissue that itself varies in terms of nuclear content among taxa, in particular to what degree their thrombocytes and red blood cells (RBCs) contain nuclei or not. Specifically, when RBCs lack nuclei, leucocytes become the main source of telomeric DNA. RBCs and leucocytes differ in lifespan and how long they have been exposed to 'senescence' and erosion effects. We report on a study in which cells in whole blood from individual Australian painted dragon lizards (Ctenophorus pictus) were identified using flow cytometry and their telomere length simultaneously measured. Lymphocyte telomeres were on average 270% longer than RBC telomeres, and in azurophils (a reptilian monocyte), telomeres were more than 388% longer than those in RBCs. If this variation in telomere length among different blood cell types is a widespread phenomenon, and DNA for comparative telomere analyses are sourced from whole blood, evolutionary inference of telomere traits among taxa may be seriously complicated by the blood cell type comprising the main source of DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- The School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
- Author for correspondence: Mats Olsson e-mail:
| | - Nicholas J. Geraghty
- The School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Erik Wapstra
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Mark Wilson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Australia
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24
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Noguera JC, Velando A. Gull chicks grow faster but lose telomeres when prenatal cues mismatch the real presence of sibling competitors. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200242. [PMID: 32429809 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0242] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic life, individuals should adjust their phenotype to the conditions that they will encounter after birth, including the social environment, if they have access to (social) cues that allow them to forecast future conditions. In birds, evidence indicates that embryos are sensitive to cues from clutch mates, but whether embryos adjust their development to cope with the expected level of sibling competition has not hitherto been investigated. To tackle this question, we performed a 'match versus mismatch' experimental design where we manipulated the presence of clutch mates (i.e. clutch size manipulation) and the real (postnatal) level of sibling competition (i.e. brood size manipulation) in the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis). We provide evidence that the prenatal cues of sibling presence induced developmental changes (such as epigenetic profiles) that had programming effects on chick begging behaviour and growth trajectories after hatching. While receiving mismatching information favoured chick begging and growth, this came at the cost of reduced antioxidant defences and a premature loss of telomeres. Our findings highlight the role of the prenatal social environment in developmental plasticity and suggest that telomere attrition may be an important physiological cost of phenotype-environment mismatch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose C Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Dpto. de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Dpto. de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
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25
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Morinha F, Magalhães P, Blanco G. Standard guidelines for the publication of telomere qPCR results in evolutionary ecology. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 20. [PMID: 32133733 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length has been used as a proxy of fitness, aging and lifespan in vertebrates. In the last decade, dozens of articles reporting on telomere dynamics in the fields of ecology and evolution have been published for a wide range of taxa. With this growing interest, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of telomere length measurement techniques. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is routinely applied to measure relative telomere length. However, this technique is highly sensitive to several methodological variables and the optimization of qPCR telomere assays remains highly variable between studies. Therefore, standardized guidelines are required to enable the optimization of robust protocols, and to help in judging the validity of the presented results. This review provides an overview of preanalytical and analytical factors that can lead to qPCR inconsistencies and biases, including: (a) sample type, collection and storage; (b) DNA extraction, storage and quality; (c) qPCR primers, laboratory reagents, and assay conditions; and (d) data analysis. We propose a minimum level of information for publication of qPCR telomere assays in evolutionary ecology considering the methodological pitfalls and sources of error. This review highlights the complexity of the optimization and validation of qPCR for telomere measurement per se, demonstrating the importance of transparency and clarity of reporting methodological details required for reliable, reproducible and comparable qPCR telomere assays. We encourage efforts to implement standardized protocols that ensure the rigour and quality of telomere dynamics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Morinha
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Magalhães
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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26
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Martínez-Cué C, Rueda N. Cellular Senescence in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:16. [PMID: 32116562 PMCID: PMC7026683 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a homeostatic biological process characterized by a permanent state of cell cycle arrest that can contribute to the decline of the regenerative potential and function of tissues. The increased presence of senescent cells in different neurodegenerative diseases suggests the contribution of senescence in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Although several factors can induce senescence, DNA damage, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and altered proteostasis have been shown to play a role in its onset. Oxidative stress contributes to accelerated aging and cognitive dysfunction stages affecting neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, connectivity, and survival. During later life stages, it is implicated in the progression of cognitive decline, synapse loss, and neuronal degeneration. Also, neuroinflammation exacerbates oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal death through the harmful effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on cell proliferation and maturation. Both oxidative stress and neuroinflammation can induce DNA damage and alterations in DNA repair that, in turn, can exacerbate them. Another important feature associated with senescence is altered proteostasis. Because of the disruption in the function and balance of the proteome, senescence can modify the proper synthesis, folding, quality control, and degradation rate of proteins producing, in some diseases, misfolded proteins or aggregation of abnormal proteins. There is an extensive body of literature that associates cellular senescence with several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Down syndrome (DS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This review summarizes the evidence of the shared neuropathological events in these neurodegenerative diseases and the implication of cellular senescence in their onset or aggravation. Understanding the role that cellular senescence plays in them could help to develop new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Martínez-Cué
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Noemí Rueda
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
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Rezuş E, Burlui A, Cardoneanu A, Rezuş C, Codreanu C, Pârvu M, Rusu Zota G, Tamba BI. Inactivity and Skeletal Muscle Metabolism: A Vicious Cycle in Old Age. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020592. [PMID: 31963330 PMCID: PMC7014434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable and gradually progressive process affecting all organs and systems. The musculoskeletal system makes no exception, elderly exhibit an increased risk of sarcopenia (low muscle mass),dynapenia (declining muscle strength), and subsequent disability. Whereas in recent years the subject of skeletal muscle metabolic decline in the elderly has been gathering interest amongst researchers, as well as medical professionals, there are many challenges yet to be solved in order to counteract the effects of aging on muscle function efficiently. Noteworthy, it has been shown that aging individuals exhibit a decline in skeletal muscle metabolism, a phenomenon which may be linked to a number of predisposing (risk) factors such as telomere attrition, epigenetic changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, sedentary behavior (leading to body composition alterations), age-related low-grade systemic inflammation (inflammaging), hormonal imbalance, as well as a hypoproteic diet (unable to counterbalance the repercussions of the age-related increase in skeletal muscle catabolism). The present review aims to discuss the relationship between old age and muscle wasting in an effort to highlight the modifications in skeletal muscle metabolism associated with aging and physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rezuş
- Department of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania; (E.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Alexandra Burlui
- Department of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania; (E.R.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anca Cardoneanu
- Department of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania; (E.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Ciprian Rezuş
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania;
| | - Cătălin Codreanu
- Center for Rheumatic Diseases, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Mirela Pârvu
- Department of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy,“George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540139 Târgu Mureş, Romania;
| | - Gabriela Rusu Zota
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iaşi, Romania;
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Center for Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700454 Iaşi, Romania;
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Giraudeau M, Heidinger B, Bonneaud C, Sepp T. Telomere shortening as a mechanism of long-term cost of infectious diseases in natural animal populations. Biol Lett 2019; 15:20190190. [PMID: 31113307 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2019.0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogens are potent selective forces that can reduce the fitness of their hosts. While studies of the short-term energetic costs of infections are accumulating, the long-term costs have only just started to be investigated. Such delayed costs may, at least in part, be mediated by telomere erosion. This hypothesis is supported by experimental investigations conducted on laboratory animals which show that infection accelerates telomere erosion in immune cells. However, the generalizability of such findings to natural animal populations and to humans remains debatable. First, laboratory animals typically display long telomeres relative to their wild counterparts. Second, unlike humans and most wild animals, laboratory small-bodied mammals are capable of telomerase-based telomere maintenance throughout life. Third, the effect of infections on telomere shortening and ageing has only been studied using single pathogen infections, yet hosts are often simultaneously confronted with a range of pathogens in the wild. Thus, the cost of an infection in terms of telomere-shortening-related ageing in natural animal populations is likely to be strongly underestimated. Here, we discuss how investigations into the links between infection, immune response and tissue ageing are now required to improve our understanding of the long-term impact of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Britt Heidinger
- 2 Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University , Fargo , USA
| | - Camille Bonneaud
- 3 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn , UK
| | - Tuul Sepp
- 4 Department of Zoology, University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
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Abstract
Stress exposure can leave long-term footprints within the organism, like in telomeres (TLs), protective chromosome caps that shorten during cell replication and following exposure to stressors. Short TLs are considered to indicate lower fitness prospects, but why TLs shorten under stressful conditions is not understood. Glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) increase upon stress exposure and are thought to promote TL shortening by increasing oxidative damage. However, evidence that GCs are pro-oxidants and oxidative stress is causally linked to TL attrition is mixed . Based on new biochemical findings, we propose the metabolic telomere attrition hypothesis: during times of substantially increased energy demands, TLs are shortened as part of the transition into an organismal 'emergency state', which prioritizes immediate survival functions over processes with longer-term benefits. TL attrition during energy shortages could serve multiple roles including amplified signalling of cellular energy debt to re-direct critical resources to immediately important processes. This new view of TL shortening as a strategy to resolve major energetic trade-offs can improve our understanding of TL dynamics. We suggest that TLs are master regulators of cell homeostasis and propose future research avenues to understand the interactions between energy homeostasis, metabolic regulators and TL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Casagrande
- 1 Research Group Evolutionary Physiology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology , 82319 Seewiesen , Germany
| | - Michaela Hau
- 1 Research Group Evolutionary Physiology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology , 82319 Seewiesen , Germany.,2 Department of Biology, University of Konstanz , D-78457 Konstanz , Germany
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Chatelain M, Drobniak SM, Szulkin M. The association between stressors and telomeres in non‐human vertebrates: a meta‐analysis. Ecol Lett 2019; 23:381-398. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.13426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Chatelain
- Centre of New Technologies University of Warsaw Banacha 2C 02‐097 Warszawa Poland
| | - Szymon M. Drobniak
- Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University Gronostajowa 7 30‐387 Kraków Poland
- Ecology & Evolution Research Centre School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Marta Szulkin
- Centre of New Technologies University of Warsaw Banacha 2C 02‐097 Warszawa Poland
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McLennan D, Recknagel H, Elmer KR, Monaghan P. Distinct telomere differences within a reproductively bimodal common lizard population. Funct Ecol 2019; 33:1917-1927. [PMID: 31762528 PMCID: PMC6853248 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Different strategies of reproductive mode, either oviparity (egg-laying) or viviparity (live-bearing), will be associated with a range of other life-history differences that are expected to affect patterns of ageing and longevity. It is usually difficult to compare the effects of alternative reproductive modes because of evolutionary and ecological divergence. However, the very rare exemplars of reproductive bimodality, in which different modes exist within a single species, offer an opportunity for robust and controlled comparisons.One trait of interest that could be associated with life history, ageing and longevity is the length of the telomeres, which form protective caps at the chromosome ends and are generally considered a good indicator of cellular health. The shortening of these telomeres has been linked to stressful conditions; therefore, it is possible that differing reproductive costs will influence patterns of telomere loss. This is important because a number of studies have linked a shorter telomere length to reduced survival.Here, we have studied maternal and offspring telomere dynamics in the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara). Our study has focused on a population where oviparous and viviparous individuals co-occur in the same habitat and occasionally interbreed to form admixed individuals.While viviparity confers many advantages for offspring, it might also incur substantial costs for the mother, for example require more energy. Therefore, we predicted that viviparous mothers would have relatively shorter telomeres than oviparous mothers, with admixed mothers having intermediate telomere lengths. There is thought to be a heritable component to telomere length; therefore, we also hypothesized that offspring would follow the same pattern as the mothers.Contrary to our predictions, the viviparous mothers and offspring had the longest telomeres, and the oviparous mothers and offspring had the shortest telomeres. The differing telomere lengths may have evolved as an effect of the life-history divergence between the reproductive modes, for example due to the increased growth rate that viviparous individuals may undergo to reach a similar size at reproduction. A free http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2435.13408/suppinfo can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darryl McLennan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Fish Ecology and EvolutionEAWAGKastanienbaumSwitzerland
| | - Hans Recknagel
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Kathryn R. Elmer
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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Parolini M, Possenti CD, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Romano A, Saino N. Egg Testosterone Differentially Affects Telomere Length in Somatic Tissues of Yellow-Legged Gull Embryos. Physiol Biochem Zool 2019; 92:459-462. [DOI: 10.1086/705037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Adwan Shekhidem H, Sharvit L, Leman E, Manov I, Roichman A, Holtze S, M Huffman D, Y Cohen H, Bernd Hildebrandt T, Shams I, Atzmon G. Telomeres and Longevity: A Cause or an Effect? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133233. [PMID: 31266154 PMCID: PMC6651551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere dynamics have been found to be better predictors of survival and mortality than chronological age. Telomeres, the caps that protect the end of linear chromosomes, are known to shorten with age, inducing cell senescence and aging. Furthermore, differences in age-related telomere attrition were established between short-lived and long-lived organisms. However, whether telomere length is a “biological thermometer” that reflects the biological state at a certain point in life or a biomarker that can influence biological conditions, delay senescence and promote longevity is still an ongoing debate. We cross-sectionally tested telomere length in different tissues of two long-lived (naked mole-rat and Spalax) and two short-lived (rat and mice) species to tease out this enigma. While blood telomere length of the naked mole-rat (NMR) did not shorten with age but rather showed a mild elongation, telomere length in three tissues tested in the Spalax declined with age, just like in short-lived rodents. These findings in the NMR, suggest an age buffering mechanism, while in Spalax tissues the shortening of the telomeres are in spite of its extreme longevity traits. Therefore, using long-lived species as models for understanding the role of telomeres in longevity is of great importance since they may encompass mechanisms that postpone aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lital Sharvit
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Eva Leman
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Irena Manov
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Asael Roichman
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Derek M Huffman
- Departments of Molecular Pharmacology, Medicine, and the Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Haim Y Cohen
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Imad Shams
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Gil Atzmon
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
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Rollings N, Friesen CR, Whittington CM, Johansson R, Shine R, Olsson M. Sex- And tissue-specific differences in telomere length in a reptile. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:6211-6219. [PMID: 31236215 PMCID: PMC6580261 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The usage of telomere length (TL) in blood as a proxy for the TL of other tissues relies on the assumption that telomere dynamics across all tissues are similar. However, telomere attrition can be caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may vary with metabolic rate, which itself varies across organs depending upon the life history strategy of an organism. Thus, we chose to measure the telomeres of various cell types in juvenile painted dragon lizards, Ctenophorus pictus, given their unusual life history strategy. Individuals typically only experience a single mating season. We measured the TL of male and female dragons using qPCR and observed that TL varied with tissue type and sex. Telomeres of blood cells were longer than those of liver, heart, brain, and spleen, and females had longer telomeres than males. Brain telomeres in males were approximately half the length of those in females. Telomeric attrition in the male brain may be due to the need for rapid learning of reproductive tactics (territory patrol and defense, mate-finding). Significant correlations between the TL of tissue types suggest that blood TL may be a useful proxy for the TL of other tissues. Our comparison of organ-specific telomere dynamics, the first in a reptile, suggests that the usage of blood TL as a proxy requires careful consideration of the life history strategy of the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Rollings
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Camilla M. Whittington
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney School of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Rasmus Johansson
- Department of Biological & Environmental SciencesUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Richard Shine
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Biological SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Mats Olsson
- Department of Biological & Environmental SciencesUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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35
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Parolini M, Possenti CD, Romano A, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Saino N. Perinatal variation and covariation of oxidative status and telomere length in yellow-legged gull chicks. Curr Zool 2018; 65:509-516. [PMID: 31616481 PMCID: PMC6784506 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The perinatal period is critical to survival and performance of many organisms. In birds, rapid postnatal growth and sudden exposure to aerial oxygen around hatching markedly affect the chick redox status, with potentially negative consequences on physiology mediated by oxidative stress. In addition, telomere length (TL) undergoes reduction during birds’ early life, partly depending on oxidative status. However, relatively few studies have focused specifically on the changes in oxidative status and TL that occur immediately after hatching. In this study of the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis, we found that chicks undergo a marked increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity and a marked decrease in the concentration of pro-oxidant molecules during the first days after hatching. In addition, TL in erythrocytes decreased by 1 standard deviation over the 4 days post-hatching. Body mass and tarsus length covaried with total antioxidant capacity and concentration of pro-oxidants in a complex way, that partly depended on sex and laying order, suggesting that oxidative status can affect growth. Moreover, TL positively covaried with the concentration of pro-oxidant molecules, possibly because retention of high concentrations of pro-oxidant molecules results from mechanisms of prevention of their negative effects, including reduction in TL. Thus, this study shows that chicks undergo marked variation in oxidative status, which predicts growth and subsequent TL, prompting for more studies of the perinatal changes in the critical post-hatching stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Young parents produce offspring with short telomeres: A study in a long-lived bird, the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193526. [PMID: 29561856 PMCID: PMC5862442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In wild vertebrates, young parents are less likely to successfully rear offspring relative to older ones because of lower parental skills ('the constraint hypothesis'), lower parental investment ('the restraint hypothesis') or because of a progressive disappearance of lower-quality individuals at young ages ('the selection hypothesis'). Because it is practically difficult to follow an offspring during its entire life, most studies have only focused on the ability of individuals to breed or produce young, while neglecting the ability of such young to subsequently survive and reproduce. Several proxies of individual quality can be useful to assess the ability of young to survive and recruit into the population. Among them, telomere length measurement appears especially promising because telomere length has been linked to longevity and fitness in captive and wild animals. By sampling 51 chicks reared by known-aged parents, we specifically tested whether parental age was correlated to offspring telomere length and body condition in a long-lived bird species, the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys). Young Black-browed albatrosses produced chicks with shorter telomere relative to those raised by older ones. Short offspring telomeres could result from poor developmental conditions or heritability of telomere length. Moreover, young parents also had chicks of lower body condition when compared with older parents, although this effect was significant in female offspring only. Overall, our study demonstrates that parental age is correlated to two proxies of offspring fitness (body condition and telomere length), suggesting therefore that older individuals provide better parental cares to their offspring because of increased parental investment (restraint hypothesis), better foraging/parental skills (constraint hypothesis) or because only high-quality individuals reach older ages (selection hypothesis).
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Monaghan P, Ozanne SE. Somatic growth and telomere dynamics in vertebrates: relationships, mechanisms and consequences. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20160446. [PMID: 29335370 PMCID: PMC5784066 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Much telomere loss takes place during the period of most rapid growth when cell proliferation and potentially energy expenditure are high. Fast growth is linked to reduced longevity. Therefore, the effects of somatic cell proliferation on telomere loss and cell senescence might play a significant role in driving the growth-lifespan trade-off. While different species will have evolved a growth strategy that maximizes lifetime fitness, environmental conditions encountered during periods of growth will influence individual optima. In this review, we first discuss the routes by which altered cellular conditions could influence telomere loss in vertebrates, with a focus on oxidative stress in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We discuss the relationship between body growth and telomere length, and evaluate the empirical evidence that this relationship is generally negative. We further discuss the potentially conflicting hypotheses that arise when other factors are taken into account, and the further work that needs to be undertaken to disentangle confounding variables.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Level 4, Box 289, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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Infant HPA axis as a potential mechanism linking maternal mental health and infant telomere length. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 88:38-46. [PMID: 29161636 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Maternal depression has been suggested to be an independent risk factor for both dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) functioning and shorter telomere length in offspring. In contrast, research suggests that individual differences in mindfulness may act as a protective factor against one's own telomere degradation. Currently, research has yet to investigate the association between longitudinal changes in maternal mental health (depressive symptoms and mindfulness) and salivary infant telomere length, and whether such changes might be mediated by alterations in infant cortisol response. In 48 mother-infant dyads, we investigated whether the changes in maternal mental health, when infants were 6-12 months of age, predicted change in infant cortisol reactivity and recovery over this period. We also investigated whether these changes in infant HPA functioning predicted subsequent infant salivary telomere length at 18 months of age. Furthermore, we investigated whether change in infant HPA functioning provided a potential pathway between changes in maternal mental health factors and infant salivary telomere length. Analyses revealed that increases in maternal depressive symptoms over that six-month period indirectly related to subsequent shorter infant telomere length through increased infant cortisol reactivity. Implications for the ways in which maternal mental health can impact offspring stress mechanisms related to aging and disease trajectories are discussed.
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Asghar M, Palinauskas V, Zaghdoudi-Allan N, Valkiūnas G, Mukhin A, Platonova E, Färnert A, Bensch S, Hasselquist D. Parallel telomere shortening in multiple body tissues owing to malaria infection. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 283:rspb.2016.1184. [PMID: 27488651 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown associations between shorter telomere length in blood and weakened immune function, susceptibility to infections, and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Recently, we have shown that malaria accelerates telomere attrition in blood cells and shortens lifespan in birds. However, the impact of infections on telomere attrition in different body tissues within an individual is unknown. Here, we tested whether malarial infection leads to parallel telomere shortening in blood and tissue samples from different organs. We experimentally infected siskins (Spinus spinus) with the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium ashfordi, and used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to measure telomere length in control and experimentally infected siskins. We found that experimentally infected birds showed faster telomere attrition in blood over the course of infection compared with control individuals (repeatedly measured over 105 days post-infection (DPI)). Shorter telomeres were also found in the tissue of all six major organs investigated (liver, lungs, spleen, heart, kidney, and brain) in infected birds compared with controls at 105 DPI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that an infectious disease results in synchronous telomere shortening in the blood and tissue cells of internal organs within individuals, implying that the infection induces systemic stress. Our results have far-reaching implications for understanding how the short-term effects of an infection can translate into long-term costs, such as organ dysfunction, degenerative diseases, and ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asghar
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Solna; Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Andrey Mukhin
- Biological Station Rybachy, ZIN RAN, 238535 Rybachy, Russia
| | | | - Anna Färnert
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Solna; Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Dennis Hasselquist
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
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Blévin P, Angelier F, Tartu S, Bustamante P, Herzke D, Moe B, Bech C, Gabrielsen GW, Bustnes JO, Chastel O. Perfluorinated substances and telomeres in an Arctic seabird: Cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 230:360-367. [PMID: 28672148 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are non-coding DNA repeats located at the termini of eukaryotic chromosomes, regulated by dynamic processes balancing shortening and maintenance. Despite a mechanism to slow-down telomere shortening, cell division leads to progressive attrition of chromosomes, leading to the onset of cellular senescence or apoptosis. However, telomere restoration based on telomerase activity is the primary mechanism for telomere maintenance. Telomere length is associated to health and survival and can be impacted by a broad panel of environmental factors. However, the effect of contaminants on telomeres is poorly known for living organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between some poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), body condition and telomere length by using both a cross-sectional and longitudinal approach in adult breeding Black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) from Svalbard. First, we examined the associations between absolute telomere length and PFASs contamination in a given year (cross-sectional approach). Second, we investigated the relationships between telomere dynamics and PFASs contamination within a two years' time frame (longitudinal approach). Our results did not show any significant relationships of PFASs and body condition with absolute telomere length in a given year. Surprisingly, we found a positive and significant relationship between PFASs and telomere dynamics in both sexes with elongated telomere in birds bearing the highest concentrations of PFASs. Our study underlines (i) the need to investigate PFAS effects on telomere dynamics with a longitudinal approach and (ii) a potential positive effect of these contaminants on telomere length, with the most contaminated birds showing the slowest rate of telomere shortening or even displaying elongated ones. Our study is the first to report a relationship between PFASs and telomere length in free-living vertebrates. A possible underlying mechanism and other potential confounding factors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Blévin
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372, CNRS & Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372, CNRS & Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372, CNRS & Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS & Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Børge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NINA, Høgskoleringen 9, NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Claus Bech
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NINA, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372, CNRS & Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
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Hares MC, Vitikainen EIK, Marshall HH, Thompson FJ, Blount JD, Cant MA. Telomere dynamics in wild banded mongooses: Evaluating longitudinal and quasi-longitudinal markers of senescence. Exp Gerontol 2017; 107:67-73. [PMID: 28964829 PMCID: PMC5956279 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length and the rate of telomere shortening have been suggested as particularly useful physiological biomarkers of the processes involved in senescent decline of somatic and reproductive function. However, longitudinal data on changes in telomere length across the lifespan are difficult to obtain, particularly for long-lived animals. Quasi-longitudinal studies have been proposed as a method to gain insight into telomere dynamics in long-lived species. In this method, minimally replicative cells are used as the baseline telomere length against which telomere length in highly replicative cells (which represent the current state) can be compared. Here we test the assumptions and predictions of the quasi-longitudinal approach using longitudinal telomere data in a wild cooperative mammal, the banded mongoose, Mungos mungo. Contrary to our prediction, telomere length (TL) was longer in leukocytes than in ear cartilage. Longitudinally, the TL of ear cartilage shortened with age, but there was no change in the TL of leukocytes, and we also observed many individuals in which TL increased rather than decreased with age. Leukocyte TL but not cartilage TL was a predictor of total lifespan, while neither predicted post-sampling survival. Our data do not support the hypothesis that cross-tissue comparison in TL can act as a quasi-longitudinal marker of senescence. Rather, our results suggest that telomere dynamics in banded mongooses are more complex than is typically assumed, and that longitudinal studies across whole life spans are required to elucidate the link between telomere dynamics and senescence in natural populations. We find no evidence that somatic tissues can be used as a quasi-longitudinal marker for telomere length in leukocytes. Telomere dynamics in different tissue types appear to be complex and likely to be influenced by telomerase activity. Telomere length may be a useful marker for somatic quality in wild animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Hares
- University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma I K Vitikainen
- University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom.
| | - Harry H Marshall
- Centre for Research in Ecology, University of Roehampton, London, SW15 4JD, United Kingdom
| | - Faye J Thompson
- University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D Blount
- University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A Cant
- University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
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Eastwood JR, Mulder E, Verhulst S, Peters A. Increasing the accuracy and precision of relative telomere length estimates by RT qPCR. Mol Ecol Resour 2017; 18:68-78. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ellis Mulder
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic Australia
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Noreikiene K, Öst M, Seltmann M, Boner W, Monaghan P, Jaatinen K. Nest cover and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites are linked to hatching success and telomere length in breeding Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima). CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Habitat-associated crypsis may affect perceived predation vulnerability, selecting for different predator avoidance strategies. Glucocorticoids could mediate the adjustment of escape responses to the extent of crypsis, introducing an overlooked source of variation in glucocorticoid–fitness relationships. However, prolonged exposure to elevated glucocorticoids may be costly, leading to accelerated telomere loss and, consequently, senescence. Here, we examined how nest cover and immunoreactive faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels are linked to hatching success and telomere length in breeding female Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima (L., 1758)). We hypothesized that the degree of nest crypsis, reflecting differences in perceived predation risk, would moderate the relationship between reproductive success and fGCM levels. We also expected that telomere length would be shorter in birds with higher glucocorticoid concentration. Results showed that individuals with high fGCM levels had higher hatching success in nests with low cover, while low fGCM levels were more successful in well-concealed nests. We found that shorter telomeres were associated with high fGCM in nesting sites offering little cover and with low fGCM in well-concealed ones. This study provides the first evidence of habitat-dependent moderation of the relationships between stress physiology, telomere length and hatching success.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Noreikiene
- Ecological Genetics Research Unit, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - M. Öst
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, FI-10600 Ekenäs, Finland
| | - M.W. Seltmann
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - W. Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - P. Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - K. Jaatinen
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
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Booth SA, Charchar FJ. Cardiac telomere length in heart development, function, and disease. Physiol Genomics 2017; 49:368-384. [DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00024.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive nucleoprotein structures at chromosome ends, and a decrease in the number of these repeats, known as a reduction in telomere length (TL), triggers cellular senescence and apoptosis. Heart disease, the worldwide leading cause of death, often results from the loss of cardiac cells, which could be explained by decreases in TL. Due to the cell-specific regulation of TL, this review focuses on studies that have measured telomeres in heart cells and critically assesses the relationship between cardiac TL and heart function. There are several lines of evidence that have identified rapid changes in cardiac TL during the onset and progression of heart disease as well as at critical stages of development. There are also many factors, such as the loss of telomeric proteins, oxidative stress, and hypoxia, that decrease cardiac TL and heart function. In contrast, antioxidants, calorie restriction, and exercise can prevent both cardiac telomere attrition and the progression of heart disease. TL in the heart is also indicative of proliferative potential and could facilitate the identification of cells suitable for cardiac rejuvenation. Although these findings highlight the involvement of TL in heart function, there are important questions regarding the validity of animal models, as well as several confounding factors, that need to be considered when interpreting results and planning future research. With these in mind, elucidating the telomeric mechanisms involved in heart development and the transition to disease holds promise to prevent cardiac dysfunction and potentiate regeneration after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. A. Booth
- Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Federation University Australia, Balllarat, Australia
| | - F. J. Charchar
- Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Federation University Australia, Balllarat, Australia
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; and
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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45
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Watson RL, Bird EJ, Underwood S, Wilbourn RV, Fairlie J, Watt K, Salvo-Chirnside E, Pilkington JG, Pemberton JM, McNeilly TN, Froy H, Nussey DH. Sex differences in leucocyte telomere length in a free-living mammal. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:3230-3240. [PMID: 28027420 PMCID: PMC5484296 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that average telomere length reflects previous stress and predicts subsequent survival across vertebrate species. In humans, leucocyte telomere length (LTL) is consistently shorter during adulthood in males than in females, although the causes of this sex difference and its generality to other mammals remain unknown. Here, we measured LTL in a cross‐sectional sample of free‐living Soay sheep and found shorter telomeres in males than in females in later adulthood (>3 years of age), but not in early life. This observation was not related to sex differences in growth or parasite burden, but we did find evidence for reduced LTL associated with increased horn growth in early life in males. Variation in LTL was independent of variation in the proportions of different leucocyte cell types, which are known to differ in telomere length. Our results provide the first evidence of sex differences in LTL from a wild mammal, but longitudinal studies are now required to determine whether telomere attrition rates or selective disappearance are responsible for these observed differences. see also the Perspective by Dantzer and Garratt
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Watson
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Ellen J Bird
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Sarah Underwood
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Rachael V Wilbourn
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Jennifer Fairlie
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Kathryn Watt
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Eliane Salvo-Chirnside
- SynthSys, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Waddington Building, Max Bourne Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Jill G Pilkington
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Josephine M Pemberton
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Tom N McNeilly
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Hannah Froy
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Daniel H Nussey
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
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Schmidt JE, Sirman AE, Kittilson JD, Clark ME, Reed WL, Heidinger BJ. Telomere correlations during early life in a long-lived seabird. Exp Gerontol 2016; 85:28-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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47
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Bauch C, Riechert J, Verhulst S, Becker PH. Telomere length reflects reproductive effort indicated by corticosterone levels in a long-lived seabird. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:5785-5794. [PMID: 27696588 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) is a candidate biomarker of ageing and phenotypic quality, but little is known of the (physiological) causes of TL variation. We previously showed that individual common terns Sterna hirundo with high reproductive success had short telomeres independent of age, and this pattern was particularly strong in the longer telomeres of the within-individual TL distribution. To test whether this relation can be attributed to effects of reproductive effort, we investigated baseline corticosterone in relation to reproductive success (number of fledglings) and TL. In this context, we assume that variation in baseline corticosterone can be interpreted as index of energy expenditure and allostatic load. Males with higher corticosterone levels during incubation, compared between and within individuals, achieved higher reproductive success and had shorter telomeres. The effect on telomeres was more pronounced in corticosterone measured later in incubation and in the longer telomeres of the within-individual TL distribution. Female corticosterone level during incubation was neither related to reproductive success nor to TL. That we observed these effects only in males mirrors different parental roles during reproduction in the common tern, where males do most of the chick provisioning. The negative association between reproductive success and TL suggests individual differences in reproductive effort as reflected in, or mediated by, baseline corticosterone. We see this result as a promising step towards unravelling the physiological causes of variation in TL and the costs of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bauch
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Institute of Avian Research "Vogelwarte Helgoland", An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Juliane Riechert
- Institute of Avian Research "Vogelwarte Helgoland", An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H Becker
- Institute of Avian Research "Vogelwarte Helgoland", An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
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48
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Adriaenssens B, Pauliny A, Blomqvist D, Johnsson JI. Telomere length covaries with personality in wild brown trout. Physiol Behav 2016; 165:217-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
Progress in improving animal welfare is currently limited by the lack of objective methods for assessing lifetime experience. I propose that telomere attrition, a cellular biomarker of biological age, provides a molecular measure of cumulative experience that could be used to assess the welfare impact of husbandry regimes and/or experimental procedures on non-human animals. I review evidence from humans that telomere attrition is accelerated by negative experiences in a cumulative and dose-dependent manner, but that this attrition can be mitigated or even reversed by positive life-style interventions. Evidence from non-human animals suggests that despite some specific differences in telomere biology, stress-induced telomere attrition is a robust phenomenon, occurring in a range of species including mice and chickens. I conclude that telomere attrition apparently integrates positive and negative experience in an accessible common currency that translates readily to novel species--the Holy Grail of a cumulative welfare indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bateson
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution/Institute of NeuroscienceNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
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50
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Short Telomeres in Key Tissues Initiate Local and Systemic Aging in Zebrafish. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005798. [PMID: 26789415 PMCID: PMC4720274 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres shorten with each cell division and telomere dysfunction is a recognized hallmark of aging. Tissue proliferation is expected to dictate the rate at which telomeres shorten. We set out to test whether proliferative tissues age faster than non-proliferative due to telomere shortening during zebrafish aging. We performed a prospective study linking telomere length to tissue pathology and disease. Contrary to expectations, we show that telomeres shorten to critical lengths only in specific tissues and independently of their proliferation rate. Short telomeres accumulate in the gut but not in other highly proliferative tissues such as the blood and gonads. Notably, the muscle, a low proliferative tissue, accumulates short telomeres and DNA damage at the same rate as the gut. Together, our work shows that telomere shortening and DNA damage in key tissues triggers not only local dysfunction but also anticipates the onset of age-associated diseases in other tissues, including cancer. Why, and how, organisms age and ultimately die is a key question of modern biology. Telomeres are considered molecular timekeepers determining cellular lifespans. Within an organism, tissue proliferation is expected to dictate the rate at which telomeres shorten. Using zebrafish, an organism with human-like telomeres, we set out to test whether, in natural aging, proliferative tissues age faster than non-proliferative in a telomere-dependent manner. We found that telomeres shorten with age to a level where they trigger telomere associated DNA damage and culminate in tissue dysfunction, independently of high or low tissue proliferation rates. Specifically, short telomeres accumulate in the gut, a highly proliferative tissue, and in the muscle, a low proliferative tissue, working as direct predictors of cellular damage prior to onset of intestinal inflammation and myocyte degeneration. Based on our data, we propose a model where telomere shortening in these key tissues is sufficient to trigger damage in others and precedes the onset of organism age-associated diseases, namely cancer. Thus, tissue-specific telomere length is limiting for local and systemic physiological integrity, leading to tissue degeneration and disease in aging.
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