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Connective Tissue and Age-Related Diseases
Carolyn Ann Sarbacher1, Jaroslava T Halper2
1Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia and AU/UGA Medical Partnership, Athens, GA, USA.
Sub-Cellular Biochemistry
|March 20, 2019
Summary
Connective tissue changes are a normal part of aging, affecting skin and organs. Age-related diseases like atherosclerosis and osteoporosis, as well as genetic disorders, are also discussed.
Area of Science:
- Connective tissue biology
- Aging research
- Pathology
Background:
- Connective tissue undergoes intrinsic changes with normal aging.
- These age-related alterations are distinct from specific disease processes.
- Visible aging signs, like wrinkles, reflect changes in soft tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe normal connective tissue characteristics and age-related changes.
- To discuss age-induced changes in organs with high connective tissue content.
- To examine age-related diseases and genetic disorders affecting connective tissue.
Main Methods:
- Review of normal connective tissue components and aging alterations.
- Discussion of general age-induced changes in organs.
- Categorization and discussion of age-related diseases and genetic connective tissue disorders.
Main Results:
- Normal aging involves connective tissue alterations impacting organs and skin.
- Common age-related diseases (atherosclerosis, osteoporosis) involve connective tissue.
- Genetic disorders (progeria, Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos) also affect connective tissue, some mimicking aging.
Conclusions:
- Connective tissue changes are integral to normal aging and disease.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for managing age-related conditions.
- The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of connective tissue in aging and disease.
Keywords:
Ageing of menisci and intervertebral discsAgeing and senescenceBone disordersCardiovascular ageingCollagensDiabetesEhlers-Danlos syndromeElastin and elastic fibresFibrillinsFibronectinHutchinson-Guilford progeria syndromeKidney ageingLamininsLoeys-Dietz syndromeMarfan syndromeProteoglycansSkin ageingTendon problemsWerner syndrome
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