Discover RNA metabolism dynamics during stress response of the aging primate immune system

National Institute On Aging

Investigators

Abstract

This project investigates age-associated changes in RNA isoform abundance and kinetics in response to oxidative stress and other stressors in non-human primate (NHP) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We induce stress using sodium arsenite and label nascent RNA with 5-ethynyl-uridine, optimizing conditions by monitoring eIF2α phosphorylation and cell viability. Poly(A) RNAs from PBMCs of varying ages and sexes are sequenced using nanopore technology to identify isoform-level changes in RNA abundance. We analyze mRNA kinetics, poly(A) tail length, and RNA modifications such as N6-methyladenosine using tools, such as RNAkinet, developed by our group. These parameters are compared across age groups to define age-dependent stress responses.