Pathology Core

University Of Texas Hlth Science Center, San Antonio TX

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Pathology increases exponentially with advancing age and causes widespread age-related morbidity and mortality. Changes in the occurrence and progression of age-related pathological lesions can clarify the extent to which an experimental intervention affects aging and age-related diseases. Pathological assessment of aging animals helps investigators determine whether age-related changes are associated with underlying pathological conditions and also provides insight into potential biological/molecular mechanism(s). Pathological analyses at different points in life can reveal how interventions may change age-specific incidence and/or progression of lesions, which can only be determined using accurate and thorough histopathological assessments of animals of all ages. The Pathology Core provides resources and expertise through these Specific Aims: 1. Conduct comprehensive end-of-life and cross-sectional pathological analyses of established and new animal models used in aging research, whether they die spontaneously or are sacrificed at specific ages. 2. Conduct histopathological, immunohistochemical, and quantitative morphometric analyses, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and gene expression profiles of tissues/organs (spatial transcriptomics) of animal models of aging, to better understand age-related histological changes. 3. Continue to: a) build on our comprehensive database of histopathology data and images as a resource for the scientific community; b) provide basic pathological information for new studies; and c) enhance a tissue archive as a resource for morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. 4. Provide histopathology services for investigators by preparing paraffin and frozen blocks, making unstained slides, preparing tissue array slides, and performing various stains (including special staining). 5. Assist faculty and trainees studying the biology of aging and pathogenesis of age-related diseases with interpretation of data from pathological analyses in models of aging, preparation of their grant applications and manuscripts, and providing training to assist their career development. A new innovation introduced in this proposal is the development of spatial transcriptomics analyses to integrate changes of gene expression with their spatial distribution at the tissue level. This cutting-edge technology will allow us to examine age-related changes in the spatial distribution of gene expression and reveal local networks of intercellular communication, to better define mechanisms driving aging and age-related pathologies. These data can be integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing analyses in collaboration with the GeroMetabolism Core (GMC) and the statistical team of the Administrative Core. With the rapid expansion of geroscience research, we anticipate continued need and demand for Pathology Core service and expertise to assist in defining, developing, and testing interventions for extending healthspan and lifespan.