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Targeting the age-related occurrence, removal, and accumulation of molecular damage by hormesis
1Laboratory of Cellular Ageing, Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract:
Strategies for testing and developing effective means of intervention, prevention, and modulation of aging incorporate means to minimize the occurrence and accumulation of molecular damage, to reduce molecular heterogeneity, and to evaluate the relevance of the type and extent of damage with respect to its role in aging and age-related diseases. One such approach is that of mild stress-induced hormesis, which stimulates maintenance and repair systems and strengthens the homeodynamic space of cells and organisms. Hormesis through mild heat shock, natural and synthetic hormetins, and other stressors brings about several antiaging effects in human fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and telomerase-immortalized bone marrow stem cells. Depending on the cell type, these antiaging hormetic effects include extension of replicative life span, enhanced proteasomal activities, increased chaperone levels, and improved wound healing, angiogenesis, and differentiation. The main molecular pathways for achieving such hormetic effects are through targeting the processes for the repair and removal of molecular damage, which can slow aging.
Insights
Mild stress, known as hormesis, can slow aging by stimulating cellular repair systems. This approach shows anti-aging effects like extended cell life and improved healing in various human cells.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Gerontology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Aging involves molecular damage and heterogeneity.
- Interventions aim to minimize damage and enhance repair.
- Hormesis is a promising strategy for modulating aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore mild stress-induced hormesis as an anti-aging strategy.
- To investigate the effects of hormesis on cellular maintenance and repair.
- To evaluate hormetic effects in different human cell types.
Main Methods:
- Applying mild stressors like heat shock and hormetins.
- Culturing human fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and stem cells.
- Assessing cellular parameters such as replicative lifespan and proteasomal activity.
Main Results:
- Hormesis demonstrated anti-aging effects across tested cell types.
- Observed benefits include extended replicative lifespan and enhanced proteasomal activity.
- Improved wound healing, angiogenesis, and differentiation were noted.
Conclusions:
- Mild stress-induced hormesis effectively combats aging markers.
- Targeting molecular damage repair pathways is key to hormetic anti-aging benefits.
- Hormesis offers a viable strategy for slowing aging and age-related diseases.
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