Project description:Ginkgolide B (GB) is a small molecule from Ginkgo biloba and implicates the reduction of certain aging-related morbidities; however, whether GB improves overall healthspan and longevity remains unknown. By single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), we revealed that GB partially restored the aging-related dysregulation in cell-type composition, intracellular signaling pathways, and cell-cell communication in skeletal muscle. Notably, GB reduced the quantity of aging-induced novel Runx1+ type 2B myonuclei, which are particularly associated with an apoptotic burden and aging-related signatures.
Project description:The decrease in the podocyte’s lifespan and health-span that typify healthy kidney aging cause a decrease in their normal structure, physiology and function. The ability to halt and even reverse these changes becomes clinically relevant when disease is superimposed on an aged kidney. RNA-sequencing of podocytes from middle-aged mice showed an inflammatory phenotype with increases in the NLRP3 inflammasome, signaling for IL2/Stat5, IL6 and TNF, interferon gamma response, allograft rejection and complement, consistent with inflammaging. Furthermore, injury-induced NLRP3 signaling in podocytes was further augmented in aged mice compared to young ones. The NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL1ß IL-18) was also increased in podocytes of middle-aged humans. Higher transcript expression for NLRP3 in human glomerular was accompanied by reduced podocyte density and increased global glomerulosclerosis and glomerular volume. Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 with MCC950, or gene deletion, reduced podocyte senescence and the genes typifying aging in middle-aged mice, which was accompanied by an improved podocyte lifespan and health-span. Moreover, modeling the injury-dependent increase in NLRP3 signaling in human kidney organoids confirmed the anti-senescence effect of MC9950. Finally, the impact of NLRP3 also impacted liver aging. Together, these results suggest a critical role for the NLRP3 inflammasome in podocyte and liver aging.
Project description:The prevention or delay of the onset of age-related diseases prolongs survival and improves quality of life while reducing the burden on the health care system. Activation of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, improves metabolism and confers protection against physiological and cognitive disturbances in old age. Here we show that MDL-800 is a specific SIRT6 activator that has health and lifespan benefits in adult mice fed a standard diet. We found extension in lifespan, delayed onset of age-related metabolic diseases, and improved general health in mice fed a standard diet after MDL-800 supplementation. Treatment with MDL-800 induced synthesis of anti-oxidation related proteins, and this rejuvenated HSCs and ISCs in aged mice. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory gene expression in both liver and muscle of MDL-800-treated animals was noted. MDL-800 lowered the level of NF-kB pathway and improved fatty acid metabolism in liver. Combined with our previous work, the current study further supports the beneficial effects of MDL-800 on health across the lifespan in mice.
Project description:Here we show that oral creatine (Cr) supplementation leads to increased life span in mice. Treated mice showed improved neurobehavioral performance, decreased accumulation of the aging pigment lipofuscin and upregulation of “anti-aging” genes in brain. As Cr is virtually free of adverse effects, it may be a promising food supplement for healthy aging in man. Keywords: creatine, life span, neurobehavioural performance, microarray, oxidative stress, aging
Project description:One goal of regenerative medicine is to rejuvenate tissues and extend lifespan by restoring the function of endogenous aged stem cells. However, evidence that somatic stem cells can be targeted in vivo to extend lifespan is still lacking. Here, we demonstrate that after a short systemic treatment with a specific inhibitor of the small RhoGTPase Cdc42 (CASIN), transplanting aged hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from treated mice is sufficient to extend the healthspan and lifespan of aged immunocompromised mice without additional treatment. In detail, we show that systemic CASIN treatment improves strength and endurance of aged mice by increasing the myogenic regenerative potential of aged skeletal muscle stem cells. Further, we show that CASIN modifies niche localization and H4K16ac polarity of HSCs in vivo. Single cell profiling reveals changes in HSC transcriptome, which underlie enhanced lymphoid and regenerative capacity in serial transplantation assays. Overall, we provide proof-of-concept evidence that a short systemic treatment to decrease Cdc42 activity improves the regenerative capacity of different endogenous aged stem cells in vivo, and that rejuvenated HSCs exert a broad systemic effect sufficient to extend murine health- and lifespan.
Project description:Kidney aging and its contribution to disease and its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Yet with an aging population, kidney health becomes an important medical and socioeconomic factor. We previously showed that podocytes isolated from aged mice exhibit increased expression of Programed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) surface receptor and its two ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2). We now extend this observation to aged human kidneys. In vitro studies in cultured podocytes demonstrate a critical role of PD-1 signaling in cell survival and the induction of a Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP). To prove that the PD-1 signaling is critical to podocyte aging, aged mice were injected with an anti-PD-1 antibody (aPD-1ab). This treatment significantly improved the aging phenotype of the kidney and liver. In the glomerulus, it increased the lifespan of podocytes, but not parietal epithelial, mesangial or endothelial cells. Moreover, transcriptomic and immunohistochemistry studies demonstrate that anti-PD-1 treatment also improved the health-span of podocytes. It restored the expression of canonical podocyte genes, transcription factors and gene regulatory networks, increased the cellular metabolism signatures and lessened the SASP of aged podocytes. Increased PD-1 transcripts in human glomeruli significantly correlated with reduced eGFR.Together, these results suggest a critical contribution of increased PD-1 signaling towards both kidney and liver aging.
Project description:Metformin, a commonly used drug prescribed to treat type-2 diabetes, has been found to extend health span and delay cancer incidence and progression. Here, we report that starting chronic treatment with low dose of metformin (0.1% w/w in diet) at one year of age extends health and lifespan in male mice, while a higher dose (1% w/w) was toxic. Treatment with low dose metformin mimicked some of the benefits of calorie restriction, such as improved physical performance, increased insulin sensitivity, and reduced LDL and cholesterol levels. At a molecular level, metformin increased AMP-activated protein kinase activity without attenuation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain activities. Metformin treatment resulted in lower chronic inflammation and increased antioxidant protection, suggesting that the ability of metformin to improve health of laboratory animals may stem from these factors. Our results support that metformin supplementation could be beneficial in extending health and lifespan in humans.
Project description:The prevention or delay of the onset of age-related diseases prolongs survival and improves quality of life while reducing the burden on the health care system. Activation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an NAD+ deacetylase, improves metabolism and confers protection against physiological and cognitive disturbances in old age. SRT1720 is a specific SIRT1 activator that has health and lifespan benefits in adult mice fed a highfat diet. We found extension in lifespan, delayed onset of age-related metabolic diseases, and improved general health in mice fed a standard diet after SRT1720 supplementation. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory gene expression both in the liver and muscle of SRT1720-treated animals was noted. SRT1720 lowered phosphorylation of NF-κB pathway regulators in vitro only when SIRT1 was functionally present. Combined with our previous work, the current study further supports the beneficial effects of SRT1720 on health across the lifespan in mice.
Project description:The prevention or delay of the onset of age-related diseases prolongs survival and improves quality of life while reducing the burden on the health care system. Activation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an NAD+ deacetylase, improves metabolism and confers protection against physiological and cognitive disturbances in old age. SRT1720 is a specific SIRT1 activator that has health and lifespan benefits in adult mice fed a highfat diet. We found extension in lifespan, delayed onset of age-related metabolic diseases, and improved general health in mice fed a standard diet after SRT1720 supplementation. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory gene expression both in the liver and muscle of SRT1720-treated animals was noted. SRT1720 lowered phosphorylation of NF-κB pathway regulators in vitro only when SIRT1 was functionally present. Combined with our previous work, the current study further supports the beneficial effects of SRT1720 on health across the lifespan in mice. Groups of 28 week old male C57BL/6J mice were maintained on ad libitum AIN-93G SD diet, or an ad libitum AIN-93G diet supplemented with SRT1720 for the rest of their lives. SRT1720 was added at a dose of 1.33 g drug per kg of chow, formulated to provide daily doses of approximately 100 mg drug per kg bodyweight to the mice. 5 mice from each group were selected and RNA was extracted from both muscle and liver tissue using 1.0mm glass beads in a Precellys 24 Tissue Homogenizer and Qiagen RNeasy Mini Kits for Fibrous Tissue according to manufacturer's specifications. Quality and quantity of the total RNA was checked with the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer using RNA 6000 Nano chips. RNA samples were labeled using the Illumina TotalPrep RNA Amplification Kit. In short, 0.5ug of total RNA was first converted into single-stranded cDNA with reverse transcriptase using an oligo-dT primer containing the T7 RNA polymerase promoter site and then copied to produce double-stranded cDNA molecules. The double stranded cDNA was cleaned and concentrated with the supplied columns and used in an overnight in-vitro transcription reaction where single-stranded RNA (cRNA) was generated and labeled by incorporation of biotin-16-UTP. Arrays were hybridized using a total of 0.75ug of biotin-labeled cRNA at 58 degrees C for 16 hours to Illumina's Sentrix MouseRef-8 v2 Expression BeadChips. Each BeadChip has ~24,000 well-annotated RefSeq transcripts with approximately 30-fold redundancy. The arrays were washed, blocked and the biotin labeled cRNA was detected by staining with streptavidin-Cy3. Arrays were scanned at a resolution of 0.8um using the Beadstation 500 X from Illumina and the data was extracted using the Illumina GenomeStudio software(v1.6.0). Any spots at or below the background were filtered out using an Illumina detection p value of 0.02 and above. The natural log of all remaining scores were used to find the avg and std of each array and the z-score normalization was calculated and presented below. Z-score = (raw value - avg)/std.