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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Telomere length and cardiovascular aging.

Frej Fyhrquist¹, Outi Saijonmaa

¹Minerva Institute for Medical Research and Department of Internal Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. frej.fyhrquist@helsinki.fi

Annals of Medicine

|June 21, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes, shorten with cell division, acting as a biological clock. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortening is linked to cardiovascular aging and risk factors.

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Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

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Monochrome Multiplex Quantitative PCR Telomere Length Measurement

Monochrome Multiplex Quantitative PCR Telomere Length Measurement

Published on: March 22, 2024

Area of Science:

Genetics
Cell Biology
Aging Research

Background:

Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends, crucial for genomic stability.
Telomere shortening with cell division acts as a cellular clock, leading to senescence.
Telomerase counteracts telomere shortening, maintaining cellular functions and proliferative capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of telomeres and telomere length in cellular aging.
To investigate the association between telomere attrition and cardiovascular aging.
To determine if leukocyte telomere length (LTL) serves as a biomarker for cardiovascular aging.

Main Methods:

Review of telomere biology, including composition and function.
Analysis of factors influencing telomere shortening (e.g., aging, oxidative stress).
Examination of the correlation between LTL and cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.

Main Results:

Accelerated telomere attrition is observed in certain genetic disorders (progeria).
Factors like aging, inflammation, and oxidative stress contribute to telomere shortening.
Shorter LTL is frequently associated with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular aging.

Conclusions:

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a potential biomarker of cardiovascular aging.
LTL reflects the cumulative impact of detrimental endogenous and exogenous factors.
The causal relationship between telomere shortening and cardiovascular disease remains undetermined.