miR-126-3p and miR-21-5p as Hallmarks of Bio-Positive Ageing; Correlation Analysis and Machine Learning Prediction in Young to Ultra-Centenarian Sicilian Population

Centenarians, semi and supercentenarians, COVID-19 and Spanish flu: a serological assessment to gain insight into the resilience of older centenarians to COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Although it is well known that the older people have been the most susceptible to COVID-19, there are conflicting data on the susceptibility of centenarians. Two epidemiological study have shown that older centenarians (> 101 years old at the time of the 2020 pandemic peak) are more resilient than the remaining centenarians, suggesting that this resilience might be linked to the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. To gain insight into this matter, specifically whether the resilience of older centenarians to SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked to the Spanish Flu they had been affected by, we conducted a retrospective serological study. This study examined serum samples from 33 centenarians, encompassing semi- (aged > 104 < 110 years, N = 7) and supercentenarians (aged > 109 years, N = 4), born between 1905 and 1922, against both SARS-CoV-2 and 1918 H1N1 pseudotype virus.

RESULTS

Anamnestic and laboratory data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 8 centenarians. The infection appeared to have been asymptomatic or mild, and hospitalization was not required, despite 3 out of 8 being between 109 and 110 years old. The levels of anti-spike antibodies in centenarians infected and/or vaccinated were higher, although not significantly, than those produced by a random sample of seventy-year-old individuals used as controls. All centenarians had antibody levels against the 1918 H1N1 virus significantly higher (almost 50 times) than those observed in the quoted group of seventy-year-old subjects, confirming the key role in maintaining immunological memory from a priming that occurred over 100 years ago. Centenarians whose blood was collected prior to the pandemic outbreak demonstrated neutralising antibodies against the 1918 H1N1 virus, but all these subjects tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study shows that older centenarians are quite resilient to COVID-19, as they are capable of producing good levels of neutralising antibodies and experiencing mild or asymptomatic disease. This could be attributed to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic through mechanisms other than the presence of cross-reactive antibodies between the 1918 H1N1 virus and SARS-CoV-2. Another possibility is that the association is purely temporal, solely correlated with the advanced age of resilient centenarians compared to those born after 1918, since older centenarians are known to have better control of immune-inflammatory responses.

Low circulating levels of miR-17 and miR-126-3p are associated with increased mortality risk in geriatric hospitalized patients affected by cardiovascular multimorbidity

MultiMorbidity (MM), defined as the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions, is associated with poorer health outcomes, such as recurrent hospital readmission and mortality. As a group of conditions, cardiovascular disease (CVD) exemplifies several challenges of MM, and the identification of prognostic minimally invasive biomarkers to stratify mortality risk in patients affected by cardiovascular MM is a huge challenge. Circulating miRNAs associated to inflammaging and endothelial dysfunction, such as miR-17, miR-21-5p, and miR-126-3p, are expected to have prognostic relevance. We analyzed a composite profile of circulating biomarkers, including miR-17, miR-21-5p, and miR-126-3p, and routine laboratory biomarkers in a sample of 246 hospitalized geriatric patients selected for cardiovascular MM from the Report-AGE INRCA database and BioGER INRCA biobank, to evaluate the association with all-cause mortality during 31 days and 12 and 24 months follow-up. Circulating levels of miR-17, miR-126-3p, and some blood parameters, including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and eGFR, were significantly associated with mortality in these patients. Overall, our results suggest that in a cohort of geriatric hospitalized patients affected by cardiovascular MM, lower circulating miR-17 and miR-126-3p levels could contribute to identify patients at higher risk of short- and medium-term mortality.

Identification and validation of senescence-related genes in polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an exceedingly intractable issue affecting female endocrine and reproductive health. However, the etiology and intricate pathological mechanisms of PCOS remain unclear. Nowadays, aging was found to share multiple common pathological mechanisms with PCOS, which causes probing into the pathogenesis of PCOS from senescence. However, no bioinformatics analyses have specifically focused on connection between PCOS and ovarian aging.

METHODS

Differentially expressed aging-related genes in PCOS were identified and then analyzed using function enrichment method. Hub genes were determined based on multiple algorithms, and expression validation of hub genes was performed in both datasets and experiments (human granulosa-like tumor cell line, KGN; human Granulosa Cell, hGCs). Finally, a transcription factor-miRNA-gene network of hub genes was constructed.

RESULTS

Here, we identified 73 aging-related differential expression genes (ARDEGs) by intersecting DEGs in PCOS and senescence-related gene set. Furthermore, we performed biological functions and potential pathways of ARDEGs and potential hub genes were also screened by multiple algorithms. From the perspective of immune dysfunction, we analyzed the correlation between PCOS and immune cells. Finally, TF-miRNA-gene networks were constructed. Finally, TF-miRNA-gene networks were constructed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work aimed to elucidate the relation between PCOS and cellular senescence based on bioinformatics strategy, deepening the understanding of mechanisms and to seek for novel therapy strategies for improving reproductive lifespan and female health. Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of cell aging in PCOS is expected to bring a new breakthrough for PCOS diagnosis and therapy strategies. And this, might deepen our understanding about intricate mechanisms of ovarian aging.

Impact of Aging and a High-Fat Diet on Adipose-Tissue-Derived Extracellular Vesicle miRNA Profiles in Mice

BACKGROUND

Middle-aged adults have the highest obesity rates, leading to significant health complications in later years. Obesity triggers the release of altered molecules, including extracellular vesicles (EVs) from excess adipose tissue (AT), contributing to various health complications. In this study, we assessed the effects of age and a high-fat diet on AT-derived EV miRNA profiles to understand their potential roles in aging and obesity.

METHOD

C57BL/6 male mice were subjected to a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for either 10-12 weeks (young mice, n = 10) or 50-61 weeks (middle-aged mice, n = 12). After evaluating metabolic characteristics, peri-gonadal white AT was isolated and cultured to obtain EVs. AT-derived EV miRNAs were profiled using a NanoString miRNA panel (n = 599).

RESULTS

Middle-aged mice exhibited obesity regardless of diet. Young mice fed an HFD showed similar metabolic traits to middle-aged mice. In the NCD group, 131 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) emerged in middle-aged mice compared to young mice, including miR-21, miR-148a, and miR-29a, associated with cancer, neuro/psychological disorders, and reproductive diseases. In the HFD group, 55 DE-miRNAs were revealed in middle-aged mice compared to young mice. These miRNAs were associated with significantly suppressed IGF1R activity.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the potential significant impact of miRNAs of AT EVs on aging- and obesity-related diseases.

Sicilian semi- and supercentenarians: identification of age-related T-cell immunophenotype to define longevity trait

The immunophenotype of oldest centenarians, i.e. semi- and supercentenarians, could provide important information about their ability to adapt to factors associated with immune changes, including ageing per se and chronic Cytomegalovirus infection. We investigated, by flow cytometry, variations in percentages and absolute numbers of immune cell subsets, focusing on T cells, and pro-inflammatory parameters in a cohort of 28 women and 26 men (age range 19-110 years). We observed variability in hallmarks of immunosenescence related to age and Cytomegalovirus serological status. The eight oldest centenarians showed the lowest percentages of naïve T cells, due to their age, and the highest percentages of T-effector memory cells re-expressing CD45RA (TEMRA), according to their cytomegalovirus status, and high levels of serum pro-inflammatory parameters, although their means were lower than that of remaining 90+ donors. Some of them showed CD8 naïve and TEMRA percentages, and exhaustion/pro-inflammatory markers comparable to the younger ones. Our study supports the suggestion that immune ageing, especially of oldest centenarians, exhibits great variability that is not only attributable to a single contributor but should also be the full result of a combination of several factors. Everyone ages differently because he/she is unique in genetics and experience of life and this applies even more to the immune system; everybody has had a different immunological history. Furthermore, our findings on inflammatory markers, TEMRA and CMV seropositivity in centenarians, discussed in the light of the most recent literature, suggest that these changes might be not unfavourable for centenarians, and in particular for the oldest ones.

The Phenotypic Characterization of the Oldest Italian Man from December 28, 2020, to September 23, 2021, A.T., Strengthens the Idea That the Immune System can Play a Key Role in the Attainment of Extreme Longevity

In this paper, we present demographic, clinical, anamnestic, cognitive, and functional data, as well as haematological, haematochemical, immunological, and genetic parameters of an exceptional individual: A.T., a semi-supercentenarian who held the title of the oldest living Italian male centenarian from 28 December 2020, to 23 September 2021. The purpose of this study is to provide fresh insights into extreme phenotypes, with a particular focus on immune-inflammatory parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first phenotypic investigation of a semi-supercentenarian, illustrating both INFLA-score, a metric designed to assess the cumulative impact of inflammatory markers and indicators of age-related immune phenotype (ARIP), recognized as significant gauges of biological ageing. The aim of this study was, indeed, to advance our understanding of the role of immune-inflammatory responses in achieving extreme longevity. The results of laboratory tests, as well as clinical history and interview data, when compared to the results of our recent study on Sicilian centenarians, demonstrate an excellent state of health considering his age. Consistent with previous studies, we observed increased IL-6 inflammatory markers and INFLA score in A.T. More interestingly, the semi-supercentenarian showed values of ARIP indicators such as naïve CD4+ cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and CD4+TN/TM ratio in the range of young adult individuals, suggesting that his immune system's biological age was younger than the chronological one. The results support the notion that the immune system can play a role in promoting extreme longevity. However, this does not rule out the involvement of other body systems or organs in achieving extreme longevity.

Circulating cell-free nucleic acids of plasma in human aging, healthy aging and longevity: current state of knowledge

Circulating cell-free nucleic acids (ccfNAs) of plasma are a remarkable source of genetic, epigenetic and transcriptomic materials originating from different cells, tissues and organs of an individual. They have been increasingly studied over the past decade as they can carry several important pieces of information about the health status of an individual, which makes them biomarkers of choice for non-invasive diagnosis of numerous diseases and health conditions. However, few studies have investigated variations of plasma ccfNAs in healthy subjects, particularly in relation to aging, healthy aging and longevity, despite the great variability of these biological processes among individuals. Here, we reviewed several studies that focused on the analysis of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) and microRNAs (ccfmiRNAs) during aging and in the elderly, including some on exceptionally long-lived individuals, i.e., centenarians. After a brief overview of the types, origins and functions of plasma ccfNAs, we described the variations of both ccfDNA and ccfmiRNAs during aging as well as the identification of several potential ccfDNA-based and ccfmiRNA-based biomarkers of aging, healthy aging and/or longevity. We finally highlighted some prospects offered by ccfNAs for the understanding and improvement of healthy aging and longevity.

HIV infection is associated with upregulated circulating levels of the inflammaging miR-21-5p

BACKGROUND

HIV infection produces a chronic inflammation which leads to early aging of people living with HIV. Even though antiretroviral treatments (ART) have significantly increased HIV patient survival, an underlying chronic inflammation persists leading to HIV-related comorbidities. In this context, changes in microRNAs (miRNAs) expression may contribute to this inflammatory response. This study aims to detect differential expression of circulating miRNAs in treatment-naïve HIV-infected individuals compared to uninfected controls and evaluation of altered miRNAs after one year of ART.

METHODS

Serum from patients and controls was collected at baseline and after 48-weeks on ART in HIV-treated patients. Circulating miRNAs were analysed using next generation sequencing.

RESULTS

A total of 32 HIV patients and 10 controls were recruited. Of HIV+ individuals, 7 were long-term non-progressors (elite controllers), a group of HIV-infected individuals that spontaneously control the infection. Higher circulating levels of miR-21-5p, and lower levels of miR-6503-3p and miR-3135b were detected in HIV+ progressors. After one year of ART, these miRNAs remain altered. Moreover, miR-21-5p and miR-6503-3p were also altered in elite controllers compared to control group. In silico analyses showed that miR-21-5p target pathways are related to inflammation mechanisms and immune system.

CONCLUSION

miR-21-5p circulating levels are involved in inflammation and oxidative stress mechanisms in HIV patients even after one year of ART or in elite controllers.

High-Mobility Group Box 1 in Spinal Cord Injury and Its Potential Role in Brain Functional Remodeling After Spinal Cord Injury

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nonhistone nuclear protein, the functions of which depend on its subcellular location. It is actively or passively secreted into the blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and can be used as a prognostic indicator of disease. HMGB1 released into the bloodstream can cause pathological reactions in distant organs, and entry into the CSF can destroy the blood-brain barrier and aggravate brain injuries. HMGB1 expression has been reported to be increased in the tissues of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and involved in the regulation of neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and ferroptosis. SCI can lead to brain changes, resulting in neuropathic pain, depression, and cognitive dysfunction, but the specific mechanism is unknown. It remains unclear whether HMGB1 plays an important role in brain functional remodeling after SCI. Damaged cells at the site of SCI passively release HMGB1, which travels to the brain via the blood, CSF, and/or axonal transport, destroys the blood-brain barrier, and causes pathological changes in the brain. This may explain the remodeling of brain function that occurs after SCI. In this minireview, we introduce the structure and function of HMGB1 and its mechanism of action in SCI. Clarifying the functions of HMGB1 may provide insight into the links between SCI and various brain regions.

Lessons from Sicilian Centenarians for Anti-Ageing Medicine. The Oxi-Inflammatory Status

Population ageing is a great achievement of humanity, but it also represents a challenge that the Western world is currently facing, as ageing is associated with increased susceptibility to age-related inflammatory diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms of healthy ageing to prevent the harmful aspects of ageing. The study of long living individuals (LLIs) is a great model for trying to achieve this goal. Accordingly, the oxy-inflammatory status of Sicilian LLIs was reviewed in the present paper. Based on the reported data, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress strategies have been discussed, useful for delaying or avoiding the onset of age-related diseases, thus favouring a healthy ageing process.

Extracellular Vesicles-ceRNAs as Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers: Looking into circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Code

Simple Summary

Patients with ovarian cancer have a very poor chance of long-term survival, usually due to advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Emerging evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles contain noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs, piwiRNAs, circular RNAs, and long noncoding RNAs, with regulatory effects on ovarian cancer. In this review, we focus on ovarian cancer-associated circular RNA shuttled by extracellular vesicles as mediators of cancer progression and novel biomarkers in liquid biopsy. We propose a circular-RNA–microRNA-mRNA code that can reveal the regulatory network created by extracellular vesicles, noncoding RNAs, and mRNAs in ovarian cancer. Future research in this field will help to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers and druggable therapeutic targets, which will ultimately benefit patients.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies in females worldwide. OC is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage due to a lack of specific symptoms and effective screening tests, resulting in a poor prognosis for patients. Age, genetic alterations, and family history are the major risk factors for OC pathogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying OC progression, identifying new biomarkers for early detection, and discovering potential targets for new drugs are urgent needs. Liquid biopsy (LB), used for cancer detection and management, consists of a minimally invasive approach and practical alternative source to investigate tumor alterations by testing extracellular vesicles (EVs), circulating tumor cells, tumor-educated platelets, and cell-free nucleic acids. EVs are nanosize vesicles shuttling proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, such as DNA, RNA, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), that can induce phenotypic reprogramming of target cells. EVs are natural intercellular shuttles for ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular-RNAs (circRNAs), known to have regulatory effects in OC. Here we focus on the involvement of circRNAs and miRNAs in OC cancer progression. The circRNA-microRNA-mRNA axis has been investigated with Circbank and miRwalk analysis, unraveling the intricate and detailed regulatory network created by EVs, ncRNAs, and mRNAs in OC.