Extracellular vesicles as mediators and markers for aging

National Institute On Aging

Investigators

Abstract

We have established the conditions to detect and quantify the overall yield of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and DNA cargo from human and mouse plasma, cell culture conditioned media, and tissues. In collaboration with other NIA and NCI research laboratories, we observed higher amounts of repetitive DNA cargo in EVs after various genome insults. We have also discovered altered EV characteristics including increased concentration and decreased size in mice in aging and human elderly population and disease cohort and are accessing the potential of using EVs as a biomarker of aging and age-related disorders. Given the central role of EVs in mediating intercellular communication and inflammation, we are investigating whether genome damage and aging process affect EV-associated cargo contents within circulating EVs. In addition, we are exploring the biological impact of EVs on NF-kB-inflammatory signaling, transcriptome, neurotoxicity in recipient cells. Overall, this study will enhance our understanding of the molecular basis of how alteration of EVs affect heath span, such as the connection between the alteration of EVs and the activation of inflammatory cytokine signaling in the tissue microenvironments during aging.