Two teams of Portuguese researchers, one of them from the University of Coimbra (UC), discovered that old skin cells can accelerate the aging of other parts of the human body, especially the brain, by propagating the signs of aging.
In a statement, the UC highlighted that the discovery made by teams from the Center for Neuroscience and Cellular Biology and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the UC and the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Aging of the Mayo Clinic, in the United States, led by the Portuguese João Passos, who welcomes national researchers, paves the way for the study of future therapies that can delay the aging process of the human body.
“This research constitutes the first direct evidence that Senescent skin cells can accelerate aging in other parts of the body. Therefore it suggests that the senescence of skin cells may contribute to the widespread effects of aging.”
From a study in young mice on the effects of senescent cells (cells that accumulate as organs age), researchers were able to understand that the presence of these aging cells in the skin led to decreased musculoskeletal function, increased physical weakness, and decreased memory capacity of the mice.
The study also noted that the the brain was affectedspecifically the hippocampus, a key area for memory and cognitive function, “conditions frequently observed in aging,” said one of the coordinators, Cláudia Cavadas, leader of the Neuroendocrinology and Aging research group.
“These reactions indicate that there was a connection between aging skin cells and the brain,” he added.
According to the statement, the results of the study contribute to knowledge about the aging of the organism and could pave the way to investigate innovative interventions that aim to delay the systemic aging process.
“Potentially, they could also explain the link between skin diseases and other diseases associated with aging.”
The researchers highlighted that the discovery of new data on the aging of the human body is crucial today, since “population aging is a global concern and one of the greatest risk factors for major chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases.”
“The research paves the way for new possibilities for aging research, which can focus, for example, on better understanding senescent skin cells and exploring new strategies that aim to eliminate or neutralize those skin cells, with the objective of reducing its systemic effects on the aging of the organism,” said the co-coordinator of the study, João Passos.
Source: Observadora
