Project description:Transcriptome analysis using the liver from young versus old mice, fed either normally or under caloric restriction reveals reorganization of distinct circadian signatures related to metabolic aging and nutrient-dependent counterbalance of aging by caloric restriction
Project description:To further analyze the effect of aging and caloric restriction in the microRNA expression, we have employed microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify differentially expressed microRNAs in middle-aged animals and the impact of caloric restriction in the microRNA expression profile. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were extracted from 3 groups of mice: 3 month-old, 12 month-old fed ad libitum and 12 month-old fed with a caloric restricted diet. Comparisons between young and middle-aged animals in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, and between the 12 month old ad libitum and 12 month old caloric restricted diet in both adipose depots were made.
Project description:Astrocytes are key cells in brain aging, helping neurons to undertake healthy aging or otherwise letting them enter into a spiral of neurodegeneration. We aimed to characterize astrocytes cultured from senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a mouse model of brain pathological aging, along with the effects of caloric restriction, the most effective rejuvenating treatment known so far. Analysis of the transcriptomic profiles of SAMP8 astrocytes cultured in control conditions and treated with caloric restriction serum was performed using mRNA microarrays. A decrease in mitochondrial and ribosome mRNA, which was restored by caloric restriction, confirmed the age-related profile of SAMP8 astrocytes and the benefits of caloric restriction. An amelioration of antioxidant and neurodegeneration-related path- ways confirmed the brain benefits of caloric restriction. Studies of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function demonstrated a reduction of oxidative damage and partial improvement of mito- chondria after caloric restriction. In summary, caloric restriction showed a significant tendency to normalize pathologically aged astrocytes through the activation of pathways that are protective against the age-related deterioration of brain physiology. Key words: astrocytes; caloric restriction; mitochondria; oxidative stress; RNA microarrays; SAMP8.
Project description:Caloric restriction (CR) prolongs lifespan, yet the mechanisms by which it does so remain poorly understood. Under CR, mice self-impose chronic cycles of 2-hour-feeding and 22-hour-fasting, raising the question whether calories, fasting, or time of day are causal. We show that 30%-CR is sufficient to extend lifespan 10%; however, a daily fasting interval and circadian-alignment of feeding act together to extend lifespan 35% in male C57BL/6J mice. These circadian effects of CR are independent of fasting duration and body weight. Aging induces widespread increases in gene expression associated with inflammation and decreases in expression of genes encoding components of metabolic pathways in liver from ad lib fed mice. CR at night ameliorates these aging-related changes. Thus, circadian interventions promote longevity and provide a perspective to further explore mechanisms of aging.
Project description:We used microarray analysis to further our understanding of the mode of action of the well know caloric restriction mimetic rapamycin and the compound Allantoin first studied in the context of aging in this study. His work helps build on our understanding of potential caloric restriction mimetics predicted from our bioinformatic aproach of quering the Connectivity Map, a database of drug-induced gene expression profiles, using the transcriptional profile of CR to identify drugs that induce a similar or opposite gene expression profile. Wild type worms of eat-2 mutants (a model of caloric restriction) were treated with the compounds of study with 2% DMSO or DMSO alone to serve as controls. All samples were peformed in triplicate.
Project description:Dietary restriction (also known as caloric/calorie restriction; CR) extends the lifespan of species from all three eukaryotic kingdoms. The restriction of the diet interferes directly with the aging process by triggering a tightly controlled genetic program where specific sets of genes are either upregulated downreguled. We used microarray-technology to detail the global program of gene expression underlying the anti-aging effect of dietary restriction and identified distinct classes of up- and down-regulated genes.
Project description:We used microarray analysis to further our understanding of the mode of action of the well know caloric restriction mimetic rapamycin and the compound Allantoin first studied in the context of aging in this study. His work helps build on our understanding of potential caloric restriction mimetics predicted from our bioinformatic aproach of quering the Connectivity Map, a database of drug-induced gene expression profiles, using the transcriptional profile of CR to identify drugs that induce a similar or opposite gene expression profile.
Project description:Astrocytes are key cells in brain aging, helping neurons to undertake healthy aging or otherwise letting them enter into a spiral of neurodegeneration. We aimed to characterize astrocytes cultured from senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a mouse model of brain pathological aging, along with the effects of caloric restriction, the most effective rejuvenating treatment known so far. Analysis of the transcriptomic profiles of SAMP8 astrocytes cultured in control conditions and treated with caloric restriction serum was performed using mRNA microarrays. A decrease in mitochondrial and ribosome mRNA, which was restored by caloric restriction, confirmed the age-related profile of SAMP8 astrocytes and the benefits of caloric restriction. An amelioration of antioxidant and neurodegeneration-related path- ways confirmed the brain benefits of caloric restriction. Studies of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function demonstrated a reduction of oxidative damage and partial improvement of mito- chondria after caloric restriction. In summary, caloric restriction showed a significant tendency to normalize pathologically aged astrocytes through the activation of pathways that are protective against the age-related deterioration of brain physiology. Key words: astrocytes; caloric restriction; mitochondria; oxidative stress; RNA microarrays; SAMP8. Primary cultures enriched in astrocytes were obtained from cerebral cortical tissue from 2-day-old SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice. Astrocyte cultures were established and experiments were routinely carried out after 21 days in culture. Established astrocyte cultures of both SAMR1 and SAMP8 consisted of 85-90% astrocytes, 10-15% microglia and 0.1-1% oligodendroglia. Sera from rats subjected to ad libitum (AL) diet and to CR were obtained as described for the establishment of the CR in vitro model (de Cabo et al., 2003). Serum was heat inactivated at 56°C prior to use in astrocyte culture experiments. Treatment in vitro was performed by adding 10% volume CR or AL serum onto the astrocyte culture medium for 48 h, the cells were harvested and RNA was extracted for the microarray studies. Three biological replicates for each condition were done and RNA was extracted for the microarray studies. Please note that SAM models were developed from AKR/J by Kyoto University. Five litters with severe senescence were selected to further propagate and examine these characteristics. Litters that showed normal aging were selected as a senescence-resistant series (R-series). The genetic background of the SAM mice became suspect after the pathological findings were different from the AKR/J mouse. Each SAM model is genetically different. Each SAM colony was acquired by Harlan by Takeda Chemical Ltd. in 2002. And here is the link to the company site. http://www.harlan.com/products_and_services/research_models_and_services/research_models/sam_inbred_mice/samp8tahsd.hl