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Moore JH, Raghavachari N. Artificial Intelligence Based Approaches to Identify Molecular Determinants of Exceptional Health and Life Span-An Interdisciplinary Workshop at the National Institute on Aging. Front Artif Intell 2019; 2:12. [PMID: 33733101 PMCID: PMC7861312 DOI: 10.3389/frai.2019.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful approach for integrated analysis of the rapidly growing volume of multi-omics data, including many research and clinical tasks such as prediction of disease risk and identification of potential therapeutic targets. However, the potential for AI to facilitate the identification of factors contributing to human exceptional health and life span and their translation into novel interventions for enhancing health and life span has not yet been realized. As researchers on aging acquire large scale data both in human cohorts and model organisms, emerging opportunities exist for the application of AI approaches to untangle the complex physiologic process(es) that modulate health and life span. It is expected that efficient and novel data mining tools that could unravel molecular mechanisms and causal pathways associated with exceptional health and life span could accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutics for healthy aging. Keeping this in mind, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) convened an interdisciplinary workshop titled “Contributions of Artificial Intelligence to Research on Determinants and Modulation of Health Span and Life Span” in August 2018. The workshop involved experts in the fields of aging, comparative biology, cardiology, cancer, and computational science/AI who brainstormed ideas on how AI can be leveraged for the analyses of large-scale data sets from human epidemiological studies and animal/model organisms to close the current knowledge gaps in processes that drive exceptional life and health span. This report summarizes the discussions and recommendations from the workshop on future application of AI approaches to advance our understanding of human health and life span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason H Moore
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Schork NJ, Raghavachari N. Report: NIA workshop on translating genetic variants associated with longevity into drug targets. GeroScience 2018; 40:523-538. [PMID: 30374935 PMCID: PMC6294726 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-018-0046-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, candidate gene and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the discovery of longevity-associated variants (LAVs) in genes such as FOXO3A and APOE. Unfortunately, translating variants into drug targets is challenging for any trait, and longevity is no exception. Interdisciplinary and integrative multi-omics approaches are needed to understand how LAVs affect longevity-related phenotypes at the molecular physiologic level in order to leverage their discovery to identify new drug targets. The NIA convened a workshop in August 2017 on emerging and novel in silico (i.e., bioinformatics and computational) approaches to the translation of LAVs into drug targets. The goal of the workshop was to identify ways of enabling, enhancing, and facilitating interactions among researchers from different disciplines whose research considers either the identification of LAVs or the mechanistic or causal pathway(s) and protective factors they influence for discovering drug targets. Discussions among the workshop participants resulted in the identification of critical needs for enabling the translation of LAVs into drug targets in several areas. These included (1) the initiation and better use of cohorts with multi-omics profiling on the participants; (2) the generation of longitudinal information on multiple individuals; (3) the collection of data from non-human species (both long and short-lived) for comparative biology studies; (4) the refinement of computational tools for integrative analyses; (5) the development of novel computational and statistical inference techniques for assessing the potential of a drug target; (6) the identification of available drugs that could modulate a target in a way that could potentially provide protection against age-related diseases and/or enhance longevity; and (7) the development or enhancement of databases and repositories of relevant information, such as the Longevity Genomics website ( https://www.longevitygenomics.org ), to enhance and help motivate future interdisciplinary studies. Integrative approaches that examine the influence of LAVs on molecular physiologic phenotypes that might be amenable to pharmacological modulation are necessary for translating LAVs into drugs to enhance health and life span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Schork
- Department of Quantitative Medicine, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ USA
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Lee JH, Cheng R, Honig LS, Feitosa M, Kammerer CM, Kang MS, Schupf N, Lin SJ, Sanders JL, Bae H, Druley T, Perls T, Christensen K, Province M, Mayeux R. Genome wide association and linkage analyses identified three loci-4q25, 17q23.2, and 10q11.21-associated with variation in leukocyte telomere length: the Long Life Family Study. Front Genet 2014; 4:310. [PMID: 24478790 PMCID: PMC3894567 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2013.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte telomere length is believed to measure cellular aging in humans, and short leukocyte telomere length is associated with increased risks of late onset diseases, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, etc. Many studies have shown that leukocyte telomere length is a heritable trait, and several candidate genes have been identified, including TERT, TERC, OBFC1, and CTC1. Unlike most studies that have focused on genetic causes of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes in relation to leukocyte telomere length, the present study examined the genome to identify variants that may contribute to variation in leukocyte telomere length among families with exceptional longevity. From the genome wide association analysis in 4,289 LLFS participants, we identified a novel intergenic SNP rs7680468 located near PAPSS1 and DKK2 on 4q25 (p = 4.7E-8). From our linkage analysis, we identified two additional novel loci with HLOD scores exceeding three, including 4.77 for 17q23.2, and 4.36 for 10q11.21. These two loci harbor a number of novel candidate genes with SNPs, and our gene-wise association analysis identified multiple genes, including DCAF7, POLG2, CEP95, and SMURF2 at 17q23.2; and RASGEF1A, HNRNPF, ANF487, CSTF2T, and PRKG1 at 10q11.21. Among these genes, multiple SNPs were associated with leukocyte telomere length, but the strongest association was observed with one contiguous haplotype in CEP95 and SMURF2. We also show that three previously reported genes-TERC, MYNN, and OBFC1-were significantly associated with leukocyte telomere length at p empirical < 0.05.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H Lee
- Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Taub Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
| | - Rong Cheng
- Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Taub Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence S Honig
- Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Taub Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Feitosa
- Division of Statistical Genomics, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Candace M Kammerer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Center for Aging and Population Health, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Min S Kang
- Taub Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Taub Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
| | - Shiow J Lin
- Division of Statistical Genomics, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jason L Sanders
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Center for Aging and Population Health, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Harold Bae
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University Medical Center Boston, MA, USA
| | - Todd Druley
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thomas Perls
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaare Christensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, University of Southern Denmark Odense, Denmark
| | - Michael Province
- Division of Statistical Genomics, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Richard Mayeux
- Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Taub Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
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Hatzis CM, Papandreou C, Patelarou E, Vardavas CI, Kimioni E, Sifaki-Pistolla D, Vergetaki A, Kafatos AG. A 50-year follow-up of the Seven Countries Study: Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, food and nutrient intakes among Cretans. Hormones (Athens) 2013; 12:379-85. [PMID: 24121379 DOI: 10.1007/bf03401303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-factor status and dietary habits of the surviving elderly participants of the initial Seven Countries Study (SCS) cohort and newly recruited middle-aged men from the same villages. DESIGN Our total cohort of remaining survivors of the SCS consisted of 27 men aged 90 years old and over, while a younger cross-sectional study of 85 men between 53 and 73 years of age of the same catchment area were also examined. Biochemical, anthropometric, dietetic and lifestyle CVD risk factors information was obtained. RESULTS It was found that being overweight and having systolic blood pressure higher than the recommended were highly prevalent (>75%) among both age groups as well as abdominal obesity (about 50%). Hypercholesterolemia was highly prevalent in the younger population (68.8%), while smoking rates were relatively low among elderly. The daily meat consumption of SCS participants had doubled, from 35g in the 1960s to 76g among the SCS survivors in 2010 (p=0.002), while daily fruit and vegetable consumption had dropped from 656g to 266g (p<0.001). The younger participants also had increased dietary meat (130g/day) (p<0.001) and decreased fruits-vegetables intake (412g/day) (p<0.001) compared to 50 years ago. However, the younger population and elderly subjects showed higher fish intake (91g/day and 38g/day respectively, p<0.001) compared to 1960 and favorable olive oil consumption. In regard to nutrient intake, the majority of the subjects did not meet the recommendations for CVD prevention. CONCLUSIONS The study population is at increased risk for the development of CVD, while current dietary habits of the SCS survivors partially differed from those of 50 years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos M Hatzis
- Department of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, Medical School, University of Crete, Greece
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Campa D, De Rango F, Carrai M, Crocco P, Montesanto A, Canzian F, Rose G, Rizzato C, Passarino G, Barale R. Bitter taste receptor polymorphisms and human aging. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45232. [PMID: 23133589 PMCID: PMC3487725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown that genetic factors account for 25% of the variation in human life span. On the basis of published molecular, genetic and epidemiological data, we hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms of taste receptors, which modulate food preferences but are also expressed in a number of organs and regulate food absorption processing and metabolism, could modulate the aging process. Using a tagging approach, we investigated the possible associations between longevity and the common genetic variation at the three bitter taste receptor gene clusters on chromosomes 5, 7 and 12 in a population of 941 individuals ranging in age from 20 to 106 years from the South of Italy. We found that one polymorphism, rs978739, situated 212 bp upstream of the TAS2R16 gene, shows a statistically significant association (p = 0.001) with longevity. In particular, the frequency of A/A homozygotes increases gradually from 35% in subjects aged 20 to 70 up to 55% in centenarians. These data provide suggestive evidence on the possible correlation between human longevity and taste genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Campa
- Genomic Epidemiology Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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Pesch B, Düsing R, Rabstein S, Harth V, Grentrup D, Brüning T, Landt O, Vetter H, Ko YD. Polymorphic metabolic susceptibility genes and longevity: a study in octogonarians. Toxicol Lett 2004; 151:283-90. [PMID: 15177664 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2004.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In order to investigate possible associations of genetic variants in genes of xenobiotic metabolism with longevity, we compared allele frequencies and genotype distributions of polymorphic genes between 205 octogenarians and a non-cancer reference group of 294 persons aged less than 80 years. We analyzed common sequence variations in the cytochrome P-450 genes CYP1A1 T461N, 3801 T > C and CYP1B1 V432L, and in the glutathione S-transferase genes GSTM1 (deletion), GSTT1 (deletion), and GSTP1 (I105V). In octogenarians, the CYP1B1 432L allele was less prevalent than in the reference group (allele frequency 0.49 versus 0.60; odds ratio, OR, 0.63, 95% confidence limits (CI) 0.40-1.00). Octogenarians turned out to have marginally significant more GSTM1 negatives (frequency 0.56 versus 0.48; OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.97-2.05), but less GSTT1 deficient genotypes (frequency 0.14 versus 0.21; OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.38-1.06). In octogenarians without cancer, GSTT1 negative carriers were less prevalent than in the aged with cancer (frequency 0.12 versus 0.27; OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.00-7.38). Polymorphic metabolic susceptibility genes could become relevant for processes of aging when toxic defense mechanisms decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Pesch
- Berufsgenossenschaftliches Forschungsinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum D-44789, Germany
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Jiang N, Bénard CY, Kébir H, Shoubridge EA, Hekimi S. Human CLK2 links cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and telomere length regulation. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:21678-84. [PMID: 12670948 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m300286200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the clk-2 gene of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans affect organismal features such as development, behavior, reproduction, and aging as well as cellular features such as the cell cycle, apoptosis, the DNA replication checkpoint, and telomere length. clk-2 encodes a novel protein (CLK-2) with a unique homologue in each of the sequenced eukaryotic genomes. We have studied the human homologue of CLK-2 (hCLK2) to determine whether it affects the same set of cellular features as CLK-2. We find that overexpression of hCLK2 decreases cell cycle length and that inhibition of hCLK2 expression arrests the cell cycle reversibly. Overexpression of hCLK2, however, renders the cell hypersensitive to apoptosis triggered by oxidative stress or DNA replication block and gradually increases telomere length. The evolutionary conservation of the pattern of cellular functions affected by CLK-2 suggests that the function of hCLK2 in humans might also affect the same organismal features as in worms, including life span. Surprisingly, we find that hCLK2 is present in all cellular compartments and exists as a membrane-associated as well as a soluble form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jiang
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1B1, Canada
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Mattson MP, Chan SL, Duan W. Modification of brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders by genes, diet, and behavior. Physiol Rev 2002; 82:637-72. [PMID: 12087131 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00004.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple molecular, cellular, structural, and functional changes occur in the brain during aging. Neural cells may respond to these changes adaptively, or they may succumb to neurodegenerative cascades that result in disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Multiple mechanisms are employed to maintain the integrity of nerve cell circuits and to facilitate responses to environmental demands and promote recovery of function after injury. The mechanisms include production of neurotrophic factors and cytokines, expression of various cell survival-promoting proteins (e.g., protein chaperones, antioxidant enzymes, Bcl-2 and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins), preservation of genomic integrity by telomerase and DNA repair proteins, and mobilization of neural stem cells to replace damaged neurons and glia. The aging process challenges such neuroprotective and neurorestorative mechanisms. Genetic and environmental factors superimposed upon the aging process can determine whether brain aging is successful or unsuccessful. Mutations in genes that cause inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease (amyloid precursor protein and presenilins), Parkinson's disease (alpha-synuclein and Parkin), and trinucleotide repeat disorders (huntingtin, androgen receptor, ataxin, and others) overwhelm endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms; other genes, such as those encoding apolipoprotein E(4), have more subtle effects on brain aging. On the other hand, neuroprotective mechanisms can be bolstered by dietary (caloric restriction and folate and antioxidant supplementation) and behavioral (intellectual and physical activities) modifications. At the cellular and molecular levels, successful brain aging can be facilitated by activating a hormesis response in which neurons increase production of neurotrophic factors and stress proteins. Neural stem cells that reside in the adult brain are also responsive to environmental demands and appear capable of replacing lost or dysfunctional neurons and glial cells, perhaps even in the aging brain. The recent application of modern methods of molecular and cellular biology to the problem of brain aging is revealing a remarkable capacity within brain cells for adaptation to aging and resistance to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Mattson
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Gerontology Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
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Mitchell BD, Hsueh WC, King TM, Pollin TI, Sorkin J, Agarwala R, Schäffer AA, Shuldiner AR. Heritability of life span in the Old Order Amish. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS 2001; 102:346-52. [PMID: 11503162 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.1483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Although a familial contribution to human longevity is recognized, the nature of this contribution is largely unknown. We have examined the familial contribution to life span in the Old Order Amish (OOA) population of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Analyses were conducted on 1,655 individuals, representing all those born prior to 1890 and appearing in the most widely available genealogy, surviving until at least age 30 years, and with known date of death. Mean age at death (+/-SD) in this population was 70.7 +/- 15.6 years, and this did not change appreciably over time. Parental and offspring ages at death were significantly correlated, as were ages of death among siblings. Offspring longevity was correlated with longevity of both parents, and in more or less additive fashion. For example, mean offspring age at death was 69.4 +/- 15.3 years in individuals for whom both parents died before the age of 75 years (n = 280) and increased to 73.5 +/- 16.0 years in individuals for whom neither parent died before the age of 75 years (n = 311). These differences were highly significant (P = 0.006). We estimated heritability of life span to be 25% +/- 5%, suggesting that the additive effects of genes account for one quarter of the total variability in life span in the OOA. We conclude that longevity is moderately heritable in the OOA, that the genetic effects are additive, and that genetic influences on longevity are likely to be expressed across a broad range of ages. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 660 W. Redwood St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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