Association between Age and the 7 Repeat Allele of the Dopamine D4 Receptor Gene

G protein-coupled receptors that influence lifespan of human and animal models

Humanity has always sought to live longer and for this, multiple strategies have been tried with varying results. In this sense, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) may be a good option to try to prolong our life while maintaining good health since they have a substantial participation in a wide variety of processes of human pathophysiology and are one of the main therapeutic targets. In this way, we present the analysis of a series of GPCRs whose activity has been shown to affect the lifespan of animal and human models, and in which we put a special interest in describing the molecular mechanisms involved. Our compilation of data revealed that the mechanisms most involved in the role of GPCRs in lifespan are those that mimic dietary restriction, those related to insulin signaling and the AMPK and TOR pathways, and those that alter oxidative homeostasis and severe and/or chronic inflammation. We also discuss the possibility of using agonist or antagonist drugs, depending on the beneficial or harmful effects of each GPCR, in order to prolong people's lifespan and healthspan.

Aging Fits the Disease Criteria of the International Classification of Diseases

The disease criteria used by the World Health Organization (WHO) were applied to human biological aging in order to assess whether aging can be classified as a disease. These criteria were developed for the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and included disease diagnostics, mechanisms, course and outcomes, known interventions, and linkage to genetic and environmental factors. RESULTS: Biological aging can be diagnosed with frailty indices, functional, blood-based biomarkers. A number of major causal mechanisms of human aging involved in various organs have been described, such as inflammation, replicative cellular senescence, immune senescence, proteostasis failures, mitochondrial dysfunctions, fibrotic propensity, hormonal aging, body composition changes, etc. We identified a number of clinically proven interventions, as well as genetic and environmental factors of aging. Therefore, aging fits the ICD-11 criteria and can be considered a disease. Our proposal was submitted to the ICD-11 Joint Task force, and this led to the inclusion of the extension code for "Ageing-related" (XT9T) into the "Causality" section of the ICD-11. This might lead to greater focus on biological aging in global health policy and might provide for more opportunities for the new therapy developers.

The VNTR 48 bp Polymorphism in the DRD4 Gene Is Associated with Higher Tobacco Smoking in Male Mexican Mestizo Smokers with and without COPD

Cigarette smoking is influenced by nicotine’s effects on dopaminergic activity, which appear to be moderated by genetic variation, particularly a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR, 48 bp) polymorphism in the third exon of the dopamine receptor gene (DRD4). Smokers with the VNTR ≥7 repeats (long, L allele) report markedly increased participation in some smoking behaviors; hence, our aim was to evaluate the association of the L allele in Mexican Mestizo smokers with and without COPD. The DRD4 VNTR 48 bp was genotyped in 492 Mexican Mestizo smokers: 164 COPD patients (≥20 cigarettes per day, cpd), 164 heavy smokers without COPD (HS, ≥20 cpd) and 164 light smokers without COPD (LS, 1–10 cpd). In the dominant model analysis (SL + LL vs. SS), men in the COPD and HS groups showed a statistical difference compared to LS (p = 0.01, OR = 2.06, CI 95% 1.17–3.64 and p = 0.05, OR = 1.88, CI 95% 1.03–3.45, respectively). In addition, by clustering smokers >20 cpd (COPD + HS) and comparing with the LS group, we found an association with increased risk of higher tobacco smoking p = 0.01, OR = 1.99, CI 95% 1.18–3.34. In conclusion, the long allele (L) in the VNTR of the DRD4 gene is associated with the risk of presenting higher tobacco smoking in male Mexican Mestizo smokers.

Metabolomics analysis explores the rescue to neurobehavioral disorder induced by maternal PM2.5 exposure in mice

Reproductive epidemiological studies have suggested associations between perinatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and adverse birth outcomes. To explore the effects of early prenatal exposure to PM_2.5 on subsequent generations, pregnant mice were exposed to PM_2.5 or filtered clean air in whole body dynamic exposure chambers for 14 consecutive days from gestation day (GD) 1.5 to GD15.5. Neurobehavioral tests showed that spontaneous locomotion and exploratory behaviors in the offspring were significantly enhanced in the open field test. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis suggested activation of dopamine pathway while inhibition of glycine pathway in murine brains. Administration of the DRD4 antagonist, clozapine; or supplementation of glycine receptor agonist, taurine, to mice offspring attenuated the locomotor hyperactivities to levels indistinguishable from controls. These data provide strong evidence that maternal exposure to air pollution might increase the risk for neural disorders in the offspring during critical periods of brain development.