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Category: life extension – Page 66

Aging drives a program of DNA methylation decay in plant organs

How organisms age is a question with broad implications for human health. In mammals, DNA methylation is a biomarker for biological age, which may predict age more accurately than date of birth. However, limitations in mammalian models make it difficult to identify mechanisms underpinning age-related DNA methylation changes. Here, we show that the short-lived model plant Arabidopsis thaliana exhibits a loss of epigenetic integrity during aging, causing heterochromatin DNA methylation decay and the expression of transposable elements. We show that the rate of epigenetic aging can be manipulated by extending or curtailing lifespan, and that shoot apical meristems are protected from this aging process. We demonstrate that a program of transcriptional repression suppresses DNA methylation maintenance pathways during aging, and that mutants of this mechanism display a complete absence of epigenetic decay. This presents a new paradigm in which a gene regulatory program sets the rate of epigenomic information loss during aging.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Unexpected differences in genetically identical bacteria provide a new perspective on aging at the cellular level

Surprising findings on bacterial aging have emerged from a study carried out by a team of researchers led by the biologist Dr. Ulrich Steiner at Freie Universität Berlin. In a new paper published in Science Advances, the team demonstrated that even genetically identical bacterial cells living in the same environment react differently to the aging process and that changes occur at different rates within different regions of the cell.

Accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products promotes age-related decline of type H vessels in bone

Abstract. Type H vessels have been proven to couple angiogenesis and osteogenesis. The decline of type H vessels contributes to bone loss in the aging process. Aging is accompanied by the accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs). However, whether AOPP accumulation is involved in age-related decline of type H vessels is unclear. Here, we show that the increase of AOPP levels in plasma and bone were correlated with the decline of type H vessels and loss of bone mass in old mice. Exposure of microvascular endothelial cells to AOPPs significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, increased NADPH oxidase activity and excessive reactive oxygen species generation, upregulated the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, and eventually impaired angiogenesis, which was alleviated by redox modulator N-acetylcysteine and NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. Furthermore, reduced AOPP accumulation by NAC treatment was able to alleviate significantly the decline of type H vessels, bone mass loss and deterioration of bone microstructure in old mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that AOPPs accumulation contributes to the decline of type H vessels in the aging process, and illuminate a novel potential mechanism underlying age-related bone loss.

Assessing ways to gauge aging status

To learn more, a research team led by Drs. Asghar Rezaei and Kenton Kaufman of the Mayo Clinic set out to assess gait, balance, and strength in healthy people over age 50. Their study enrolled 40 participants. Half were between ages 50 and 64. The rest were ages 65 or older. In each group, half of the participants were female, and half were male.

Each participant underwent a series of tests in a motion analysis lab. Reflective markers were attached to specific locations on each participant’s feet, thighs, pelvis, head, and more. To assess gait, a 14-camera motion capture system recorded marker movements as people walked back and forth on an eight-meter-long walkway. Force plates on the floor measured ground reaction forces to detect changes in the center of pressure. Balance tests similarly used force plates to record movements and center of pressure data. The balance tests assessed the body’s sway as people stood on one leg with eyes open and on both legs with eyes open and closed. Grip strength and knee strength were measured by using specialized devices. Results were reported on October 23, 2024, in PLOS ONE.

The researchers found that gait characteristics—including walking speed and stride length—were not significantly affected by age. In contrast, several measures of balance and strength showed significant age-related reductions.

Scientists create a world-first 3D cell model to help develop treatments for devastating lip injuries

We use our lips to talk, eat, drink, and breathe; they signal our emotions, health, and aesthetic beauty. It takes a complex structure to perform so many roles, so lip problems can be hard to repair effectively. Basic research is essential to improving these treatments, but until now, models using lip cells—which perform differently to other skin cells—have not been available.

In a study published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, scientists report the successful immortalization of donated lip cells, allowing for the development of clinically relevant lip models in the lab. This proof-of-concept, once expanded, could benefit thousands of patients.

“The lip is a very prominent feature of our face,” said Dr. Martin Degen of the University of Bern.

Wild Discovery Reveals That Comb Jellies Can Age in Reverse

When things get tough in adulthood, it might seem appealing to return to simpler times.

One bizarre marine creature has taken this approach to dire situations quite literally, regressing its physical adult body to a juvenile stage once the stress of starvation or injury has subsided.

Until now, the immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) was the only species thought to be able to wind back the clock on jelly-puberty like this, but now it’s joined by Mnemiopsis leidyi, better known as the sea walnut or the warty comb jelly.