The Geropathology Research Network. Connecting molecular markers of aging with physiological and pathological phenotypes

3^rd International Conference on Genomics & Pharmacogenomics

September 21-23, 2015 San Antonio, USA

Warren Ladiges

University of Washington School of Medicine, USA

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Mol Genet Med

Abstract :

The Geropathology Research Network (GPRN) has established a Molecular Pathology Working Group to help define sets of sentinel biomarkers that can be incorporated into preclinical and clinical aging studies to increase the relevance, productivity, efficiency, and economy of these studies. Extensive physiological and pathological data are available and can readily be generated in preclinical aging studies in mice. The data can be correlated with molecules associated with aging. In order to have translational value, molecular markers must be present in tissues readily accessible in both mice and humans. Since blood can easily be collected in both species, serum is an ideal medium. The GPRN is focusing on secretory proteins and other molecules in the serum of mice that exhibit declining physiological function and increased organ pathology with increasing age. A prototype secretory protein is SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, also known as osteonectin), a highly conserved 43 kilodalton serum protein secreted into the extracellular matrix to regulate homeostatic signaling pathways. Serum SPARC decreases with increasing age with evidence to suggest a decline in such conditions as sarcopenia. Preliminary data in aging mice suggest that serum SPARC levels are correlated with performance in grip strength, walking and running assessment tests, echocardiography and cardiac lesion grade. With these types of data, it is possible to begin assembling a comprehensive panel of secretory molecules to serve as surrogate markers of lifespan, health span, and other conditions of aging such as frailty and cognitive decline.

Biography :

Email: wladiges@u.washington.edu