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Category: life extension – Page 16

Teaching NeuroImage: Miliary Perivascular Space Enhancement in Sepsis-Associated Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Plants display a wide range of life spans and aging rates. Although dynamic changes to DNA methylation are a hallmark of aging in mammals, it is unclear whether similar molecular signatures reflect rates of aging and organism life span in plants. In this work, we show that the short-lived model plant Arabidopsis thaliana exhibits a loss of epigenetic integrity during aging, which causes DNA methylation decay and the expression of transposable elements. We show that the rate of epigenetic aging can be manipulated by extending or curtailing life span and that shoot apical meristems are protected from these epigenetic changes. We demonstrate that a program of transcriptional repression suppresses DNA methylation maintenance pathways during aging and that mutants of this program display a complete absence of epigenetic decay while physical aging remains unaffected.

DNA-Protein Crosslinks Explain Accelerated Aging in Progeria

In Ruijs-Aalfs progeria syndrome, patients experience accelerated aging and liver cancer.

Now, scientists showed that mutations in a certain gene prevent cells from repairing DNA damage during mitosis, triggering inflammatory immune responses that may fuel premature aging.

Read more.

Researchers have shown that harmful bonds between protein and DNA fuel immune attack in progeria. Pumping up a protein that cuts these bonds could prevent symptoms.

CLN3 mediates chloride efflux from lysosomes

Lysosomes degrade damaged organelles and macromolecules to recycle nutrient components. Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are linked to mutations of genes encoding lysosomal proteins and may lead to age-related disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. But, how lysosomal dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases is not clear yet…

The researchers identify CLN3 (ceroid lipofuscinosis, neuronal 3), linked to Batten disease as a conserved lysosomal protein that regulates lysosomal chloride homeostasis, pH, and protein degradation.

Curcumin analog C1 is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties could enhance CLN3 activity and improve lysosomal function by activating TFEB. sciencenewshighlights ScienceMission https://sciencemission.com/CLN3-n-chloride-efflux-n-lysosomes

Wang et al. identify CLN3 as a conserved lysosomal protein that regulates lysosomal chloride homeostasis, pH, and protein degradation. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) activation enhances CLN3 function, revealing the TFEB-CLN3 signaling axis as a promising therapeutic target for lysosomal storage disorders.

Physicists eye emerging technology for solar cells in outer space

Solar cells face significant challenges when deployed in outer space, where extremes in the environment decrease the efficiency and longevity they enjoy back on Earth. University of Toledo physicists are taking on these challenges at the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, in line with a large-scale research project supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

One recent advancement pertains to an emerging technology that utilizes antimony compounds as light-absorbing semiconductors. A group of UToledo faculty and students recently published a first-of-its-kind assessment exploring the promising characteristics of these antimony chalcogenide-based solar cells for space applications in the journal Solar RRL, which highlighted the work on its front cover.

“Antimony chalcogenide solar cells exhibit superior radiation robustness compared to the conventional technologies we’re deploying in space,” said Alisha Adhikari, a doctoral student in physics who co-led the team of undergraduate, graduate and faculty researchers at UToledo. “But they’ll need to become much more efficient before they become a competitive alternative for future space missions.”

For decades, memory-like responses in immune cells have remained unexplained

Katherine Y. King & team now identify epigenetic changes in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in a mycobacterial infection model that are retained in downstream macrophages, providing mechanistic mediators of innate immune memory and explaining persistence of central trained immunity.

1Graduate Program in Cancer and Cell Biology.

2Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Disease, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine.

3Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center.

4Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.

Brain Scans Reveal Hidden Changes After Menopause

New research suggests menopause is associated with brain volume loss in key regions tied to memory and emotions, along with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.

Hormone therapy didn’t prevent these changes, though it may slow age-related declines in reaction speed.

Menopause linked to brain changes and mental health challenges.

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