Age-dependent increase of cytoskeletal components in sensory axons in human skin

Klara Metzner; Klara Metzner; Omar Darawsha; Mengzhe Wang; Nayana Gaur; Nayana Gaur; Yiming Cheng; Annekathrin Rödiger; Christiane Frahm; Otto W. Witte; Fabiana Perocchi; Fabiana Perocchi; Fabiana Perocchi; Hubertus Axer; Julian Grosskreutz; Julian Grosskreutz; Monika S. Brill; Monika S. Brill

doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.965382

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Nov 2022)

Age-dependent increase of cytoskeletal components in sensory axons in human skin

Klara Metzner,
Klara Metzner,
Omar Darawsha,
Mengzhe Wang,
Nayana Gaur,
Nayana Gaur,
Yiming Cheng,
Annekathrin Rödiger,
Christiane Frahm,
Otto W. Witte,
Fabiana Perocchi,
Fabiana Perocchi,
Fabiana Perocchi,
Hubertus Axer,
Julian Grosskreutz,
Julian Grosskreutz,
Monika S. Brill,
Monika S. Brill

Affiliations

Klara Metzner: Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
Klara Metzner: Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
Omar Darawsha: Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
Mengzhe Wang: Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
Nayana Gaur: Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
Nayana Gaur: Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Yiming Cheng: Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Munich, Germany
Annekathrin Rödiger: Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
Christiane Frahm: Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
Otto W. Witte: Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
Fabiana Perocchi: Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
Fabiana Perocchi: Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Munich, Germany
Fabiana Perocchi: Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
Hubertus Axer: Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
Julian Grosskreutz: Precision Neurology of the University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
Julian Grosskreutz: PMI Cluster, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
Monika S. Brill: Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
Monika S. Brill: Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.965382
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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Aging is a complex process characterized by several molecular and cellular imbalances. The composition and stability of the neuronal cytoskeleton is essential for the maintenance of homeostasis, especially in long neurites. Using human skin biopsies containing sensory axons from a cohort of healthy individuals, we investigate alterations in cytoskeletal content and sensory axon caliber during aging via quantitative immunostainings. Cytoskeletal components show an increase with aging in both sexes, while elevation in axon diameter is only evident in males. Transcriptomic data from aging males illustrate various patterns in gene expression during aging. Together, the data suggest gender-specific changes during aging in peripheral sensory axons, possibly influencing cytoskeletal functionality and axonal caliber. These changes may cumulatively increase susceptibility of aged individuals to neurodegenerative diseases.

Published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

ISSN: 2296-634X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology

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