Heart Aging Under the Microscope
International research team, led by FLI expert Alessandro Ori (PhD) and Lino Ferreira (PhD) from the University of Coimbra, identifies protein Lactadherin as an important marker for heart aging
Jena/Coimbra. An international research team has identified the protein Lactadherin as a marker for heart aging. Furthermore, it is now confirmed that Lactadherin is also involved in crucial signaling pathways and inflammatory processes associated with aging, particularly cardiovascular diseases. The study was published at the end of January 2024 in "Molecular & Cellular Proteomics." Alessandro Ori (PhD) co-led the study, and his research group "Aging of Protein Complexes" is associated with the Leibniz Institute on Aging Research – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena. The project was performed in collaboration with the team of Lino Ferreira (PhD) from the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and was supported by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement nº 952266 (acronym of the project: RESETAgeing).
The focus of the research was on changes in the heart muscle tissue of mice and humans. The scientists examined both the normal aging process and accelerated aging due to diseases. They discovered that specific parts of the heart tissue, especially the extracellular matrix (ECM), undergo changes during the normal aging process. The ECM is a kind of "framework" in the tissue that supports cells. Changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) are considered a characteristic feature of many chronically inflammatory diseases that can lead to cellular dysfunction, aging, and disease progression. However, little secure knowledge existed about the ECM of the aging heart and its effects on heart cells during chronological and pathological aging.
PhD Ori's team documented that changes in this framework simultaneously affect the quantity of proteins in this area. Specifically, the protein Lactadherin was identified as a marker. It was produced in increased amounts in both normal and accelerated aging in mice and humans. Lactadherin is primarily known from milk, where it acts as an antiviral protein. However, Lactadherin also facilitates processes such as the fertilization of eggs and modulates the growth of blood vessels.
The researchers led by PhD Ori found that elevated levels of Lactadherin in the heart vessels are associated with the activation of specific "aging" signaling pathways and a pro-inflammatory response in cells. PhD Ori stated, "This could suggest that Lactadherin can not only serve as a marker for heart aging but is also involved in crucial signaling pathways and inflammatory processes associated with the aging process and cardiovascular diseases." Identifying Lactadherin as a potential biomarker could help in better assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the future. Furthermore, based on the research results, new approaches for treating age-related heart problems could be developed.
The Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) – upon its inauguration in 2004 – was the first German research organization dedicated to research on the process of aging. Around 350 employees from around 40 nations explore the molecular mechanisms underlying aging processes and age-associated diseases. For more information, please visit www.leibniz-fli.de.
The Leibniz Association connects 97 independent research institutions that range in focus from natural, engineering, and environmental sciences to economics, spatial, and social sciences and the humanities. Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic, and ecological relevance. They conduct basic and applied research, including in the interdisciplinary Leibniz Research Alliances, maintain scientific infrastructure, and provide research-based services. The Leibniz Association identifies focus areas for knowledge transfer, particularly with the Leibniz research museums. It advises and informs policymakers, science, industry, and the general public. Leibniz institutions collaborate intensively with universities – including in the form of Leibniz ScienceCampi – as well as with industry and other partners at home and abroad. They are subject to a transparent, independent evaluation procedure. Because of their importance for the country as a whole, the Leibniz Association Institutes are funded jointly by Germany’s central and regional governments. The Leibniz Institutes employ around 20,500 people, including 11,500 researchers. The financial volume amounts to 2 billion euros. For more information: www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/en/.
Originalpublikation:
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100706
Santinha D, Vilaça A, Estronca L, Schüler SC, Bartoli C, De Sandre-Giovannoli A, Figueiredo A, Quaas M, Pompe T, Ori A, Ferreira L.
Remodelling of the cardiac extracellular matrix proteome during chronological and pathological ageing.
Mol Cell Proteomics 2023 Dec 21 epub ahead of print.
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