Articles tagged with Telomeres
A new study reveals that oxidative damage to telomeres can trigger cellular senescence, leading to the development of 'zombie cells'. Researchers found that damage at telomeres disrupts DNA replication and induces stress signaling pathways, contributing to age-related diseases.
Researchers analyzed stored blood samples from infected men and found significant age acceleration in DNA epigenetic measures and telomere shortening. The study demonstrates HIV's substantial impact on the body's aging processes within two to three years of infection.
A University of Washington model found that the body's ability to create cloned immune cells falls significantly with age, leading to increased susceptibility to COVID-19 in the elderly. The study suggests that genetic limits on cell division may play a role in the devastating effects of COVID-19 on older adults.
Researchers investigated the association between relative telomere length and COVID-19 mortality in 608 adults hospitalised with the virus. In women aged 65 or older, shorter telomeres were associated with a higher risk of dying from COVID-19. Longer telomeres were linked to a reduced risk, particularly in women.
A new study found a clear link between brisk walking and longer telomere length, indicating slower biological aging. Researchers estimate that a lifetime of brisk walking could lead to the equivalent of 16 years younger biological age by midlife.
The TTUHSC's C. Patrick Reynolds has received a $1.34 million CPRIT grant to investigate updating the clinical risk stratification scale for neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, two childhood cancers in need of improved therapies.
Researchers at TTUHSC will investigate common mechanisms of resistance and sensitivity in alternate telomere lengthening (ALT) cancers, with a focus on targeting ATM kinase inhibitors for therapy. The team aims to develop clinical trials for patients with ALT+ cancers.
Researchers found that damaged telomeres increase the expression of ACE2, the human SARS-CoV-2 cell receptor, leading to increased viral susceptibility in the elderly. This DNA damage response is triggered by telomere shortening and dysfunction in aging cells.
Researchers link repeated injury to airway stem cells with chronic lung disease, suggesting that biological aging of these cells may contribute to the development of this condition. The study found that injury caused activation of a subset of stem cells, leading to their premature aging and loss of functional capacity.
Researchers discovered that four terpyridine platinum compounds induce telomere dysfunction, leading to high levels of chromosome instability. This study provides promising leads for cancer treatment using these compounds alone or in combination with ionizing radiation.
Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for neuroblastoma by targeting the ALT mechanism, which is responsible for chemotherapy resistance. The study found that activating ATM kinase at telomeres promotes chemotherapy resistance in ALT neuroblastoma and suggests a cancer-specific approach to treating this disease.
Research suggests that telomere shortening drives intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Telomere erosion is positively associated with disease severity and may underlie disease recurrence.
A Danish-Swedish study found that football and team handball training have a positive effect on telomere length and mitochondrial function in women, potentially increasing their health span and lifespan. The research involved 129 healthy women and showed that elite football players had longer telomeres compared to untrained controls.
A new study reveals that telomeres shorten rapidly during early childhood, setting the stage for lifelong health outcomes. Researchers found that a mother's telomere length is predictive of her child's telomere length through pre-adolescence.
A Penn State-led study found that maternal stress during pregnancy can shorten the telomeres of male lizard offspring, leading to decreased lifespan. The researchers discovered a sex-specific effect, where stressed mothers give birth to sons with significantly shorter telomeres, highlighting potential implications for human longevity.
Researchers discovered that individuals reporting daytime sleepiness have shorter telomeres compared to those without sleepiness, even when adjusting for other factors. This association suggests that daytime sleepiness may contribute to telomere shortening and increased cardiovascular risk.
Researchers found that high-dose omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation suppressed damage and boosted protection during and after stressful events. This led to sustained anti-inflammatory activity and preserved telomere length in healthy but sedentary, overweight, and middle-aged individuals.
A two-decade study of wild Soay sheep in Scotland reveals that telomere length is correlated with individual longevity. However, the effect of telomere length on mortality appears to be driven by genetic factors rather than environmental influences.
Renal fibrosis, a leading cause of kidney failure, has been linked to telomere shortening. Researchers found that short telomeres exacerbate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, promoting pathological scarring of kidney tissue. They propose treating renal fibrosis by lengthening telomeres and restoring normal gene expression.
The CNIO team found that telomeres respond to external signals inducing cell proliferation and that blocking these signals can interfere with cancer cells becoming immortal. The study identifies telomeres as a key target of the AKT pathway, which plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis.
Research reveals that telomere shortening, linked to excessive stem cell division, predisposes fat cells to premature senescence and tissue dysfunction. Shorter telomeres in patients with metabolic dysfunction also showed resistance to weight loss treatments.
A recent in vitro study published in Journal of Dietary Supplements found that ergothioneine helped preserve telomere length and reduce oxidative stress. The study suggests that ergothioneine as part of a healthy diet could potentially mitigate the negative effects of oxidative stress and support healthy aging by preserving telomeres.
A new study has found that short telomeres may contribute to the cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a devastating lung disease affecting thousands in the UK. The research also suggests that reducing stress and increasing exercise may help prevent or treat IPF.
Researchers have found that telomere shortening protects against cancer in humans. The study used CRISPR gene-editing technology to analyze mutant cells with long telomeres and found that they were at greater risk of developing breast, colorectal, melanoma, and thyroid cancers.
Two UCLA studies reveal that maternal stress prior to conception and during the third trimester can lead to shorter telomeres in children, which is associated with faster aging and increased risk of diseases. The study also found that high maternal stress before pregnancy was linked to shorter pregnancies.
A new study by Crick researchers reveals that stem cells protect their chromosome ends through a unique t-loop structure, distinct from the TRF2-dependent mechanism in somatic cells. This discovery opens up new questions about the evolution of telomere protection and its implications for premature aging and cancer.
A synthetic probe offers a safe approach for visualizing chromosome tips in living cells. The probe can precisely deliver a fluorescent compound to telomeres on the tips of chromosomes, enabling researchers to understand their relevance to disease and aging. This breakthrough advances research into aging and diseases like cancer.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to maternal thyroid hormones can result in longer telomeres in chicks, making them appear younger at birth. This could have significant implications for understanding the effects of telomere length on aging and mortality risk.
Scientists have identified the crucial role of RAD51 protein in recruiting TERRA molecules to telomeres, which helps prevent accidental loss or shortening of DNA. This mechanism is essential for maintaining healthy telomeres and preventing premature aging and age-related diseases.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that mothers' ability to cope with stress during pregnancy is positively correlated with their children's telomere length. This suggests that maternal psychological resilience may have a protective effect on child development and lifelong health.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University and Moscow State University studied the Est3 subunit of telomerase, revealing its importance for stabilizing the whole protein complex. The study used NMR spectrometry to understand the spatial structure and interactions of Est3 molecules.
A new study found that ultra-processed food consumption is associated with shorter telomeres, a marker of biological age. The research suggests that diet may be causing cells to age faster.
A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found no association between telomere length and child sexual abuse in mothers. The researchers checked telomeres of the mothers' children as well, but also didn't find any link.
Researchers at CNIO develop effective therapy for mice with age-related pulmonary fibrosis, activating telomerase production to prevent disease development. The treatment, a gene therapy, also successfully reversed fibrosis in mice without genetic alterations.
Blocking TLKs triggers alternative telomere lengthening system, activating innate immune system and potentially attracting immune cells to combat cancer.
A new study identifies several small molecules that selectively lengthen telomeres in stem cells, potentially treating telomere diseases such as dyskeratosis congenita. The compounds, including BCH001 and RG7834, boost TERC levels and restore telomere length, showing promise for a clinical treatment.
A recent study by the CNIO reveals that rapamycin can worsen diseases associated with short telomeres, but may be beneficial in other cases. The researchers found that mice with short telomeres are more sensitive to nutrients and hyper-activated mTOR pathway.
A new study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity found that drinking low-fat milk can lead to shorter telomeres, a biomarker of aging. Adults who consumed low-fat milk experienced significantly less biological aging than those who drank high-fat milk.
Dr. Shakirov and collaborators identified genes NOP2A, RPL5A, and RPL5B as crucial for controlling telomere length in Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant. This discovery provides new insights into the connection between ribosome biogenesis and telomere length control.
Researchers from Arizona State University uncover the structure and function of plant telomerase RNA, a 'missing link' between ciliates and humans. This discovery may hold promise for extending human lifespan and improving health in elderly individuals by understanding the regulation of telomerase enzyme.
New study from the Francis Crick Institute reveals that telomere t-loops are crucial for protecting chromosomes from damage by adopting a lasso-like structure. The research also uncovered the mechanism that regulates the winding and unwinding of these t-loops, essential for maintaining chromosome integrity.
Researchers have successfully created mice with hyper-long telomeres, which live longer and healthier lives without any genetic modification. This breakthrough shows that lengthening telomeres can increase longevity and delay metabolic ageing, paving the way for potential future treatments.
Researchers found that telomere length changes are associated with structural changes in the brain, including thickening or thinning of the cerebral cortex. This study suggests that short-term changes in telomere length may reflect general fluctuations in health and aging status, but long-term effects remain unclear.
Researchers have identified a new way to target the third most common oncogene, TERT. The study reveals that TERT messenger RNA is held up in the nucleus, and keeping it trapped could be an effective strategy for treating cancer. This discovery offers a promising new approach in the fight against TERT over-activation.
Researchers identified a genetic flaw in the ZCCHC8 gene that decreases protein production necessary for maintaining telomere length. This finding may lead to the development of diagnostic markers for inherited 'short telomere' diseases.
Researchers discovered that telomerase, which promotes unlimited cell division in cancer cells, also prevents tumors and slows a key stage in normal cell death. In healthy adult cells, telomerase activates just before cell death, buffering cells from aging stresses and reducing DNA damage.
A new study found that damaged mitochondria can pollute cells with reactive oxygen species, causing telomere damage and genetic instability. The researchers developed a technology to trigger this reaction, which ultimately led to the discovery of telomere fragility and breakage.
A study found that telomere shortening rate predicts species lifespan, rather than initial telomere length. Body weight and heart rate were less powerful predictors of lifespan.
Researchers have identified a protein, TSPYL5, that allows cancer cells to survive indefinitely. Targeting this protein may help develop new therapies for children with ALT-type cancer, which currently lacks effective treatments.
CNIO researchers identified new drug combinations that prevent therapy resistance in mice with glioblastoma by targeting the RAS pathway and telomere maintenance. The study found effective synergistic effects and increased life expectancy in mice by up to 80%.
A new meta-analysis of 18 studies found that smoking does not accelerate telomere shortening, challenging the long-held assumption that smoking affects telomere length. Adult telomere length is now considered a static biomarker rather than a dynamic indicator of ageing.
Research from Loma Linda University suggests that unsupportive parenting styles may have negative health implications for children, including shorter telomeres and increased disease risk. The study found that cold parenting was associated with smaller telomeres, which can accelerate cellular aging.
A human enzyme named FANCM is essential for the survival of cancer cells using an alternative telomere lengthening pathway. ALT tumor cells require FANCM activity to prevent telomere instability and cell death.
Researchers found that targeting telomeres with oxidative stress can shorten them, leading to accelerated cellular aging and DNA instability. This could lead to potential cancer treatment strategies by stopping cancer cells from dividing.
A new study reveals that medical residents experience accelerated telomere shortening, a marker of aging and disease risk, due to prolonged work hours. The research suggests that reducing stress through better work-life balance could help mitigate this effect.
Researchers found that environmental pollutants can impact molecular hallmarks of aging, including mitochondrial DNA content and telomere length. Higher levels of certain pollutants were associated with decreased mitochondrial DNA content or shorter telomeres, suggesting a potential link between pollution and accelerated aging.
The NASA Twins Study found that Scott Kelly's telomeres in white blood cells got longer while in space, contradicting initial expectations. This could mean a higher risk for accelerated aging and age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A recent study published in The FASEB Journal found that low oxygen levels during fetal development can lead to premature ovarian ageing and reduced egg availability. Researchers exposed pregnant rats to chronic hypoxia, leading to accelerated ageing of the ovaries and fewer eggs available for future reproduction.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a new approach to treating age-related diseases by stabilizing telomeres and restoring sirtuin activity. This method shows promise in improving liver disease outcomes in a mouse model.
A new study from Australia found that older men with higher levels of sex hormones, particularly estradiol, have lower biological age. This association remained true even after adjusting for age, lifestyle factors, and medical conditions.