1
|
Candore G, Accardi G, Aiello A, Baggio G, Bellini T, Calabrese V, Carreca AP, Carreca I, Masucci A, Cattaneo M, Dato S, Bona DD, Fabris L, Gambino C, Lorenzo GD, Francescschi C, Ligotti ME, Manfrinato MC, Puca AA, Tamburello M, Vassallo R, Caruso C. Sex and Gender in Ageing and Longevity: Highlights From an International Course. Transl Med UniSa 2024; 26:15-29. [PMID: 38560614 PMCID: PMC10980291 DOI: 10.37825/2239-9747.1049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Gender medicine is a multidisciplinary science and represents an important perspective for pathophysiological and clinical studies in the third millennium. Here, it is provided an overview of the topics discussed in a recent course on the Role of Sex and Gender in Ageing and Longevity. The paper highlights three themes discussed in the course, i.e., the interaction of gender/sex with, i) the pathophysiology of age-related diseases; ii), the role of genetics and epigenetics in ageing and longevity and, iii) the immune responses of older people to pathogens, vaccines, autoantigens, and allergens. Although largely unexplored, it is clear that sex and gender are modulators of disease biology and treatment outcomes. It is becoming evident that men and women should no longer be considered as subgroups, but as biologically distinct groups of patients deserving consideration for specific therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P.Giaccone”, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Giovannella Baggio
- Italian Center for Studies on Gender Health and Medicine, Padua University-Hospital, Padua,
Italy
| | - Tiziana Bellini
- University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara,
Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara,
Italy
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania,
Italy
| | | | - Ignazio Carreca
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Anna Masucci
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P.Giaccone”, Palermo,
Italy
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | | | - Serena Dato
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende,
Italy
| | - Danilo D. Bona
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia,
Italy
| | - Luca Fabris
- Italian Center for Studies on Gender Health and Medicine, Padua University-Hospital, Padua,
Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua,
Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Disease Section, Yale University, New Haven, CT,
USA
| | - Caterina Gambino
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P.Giaccone”, Palermo,
Italy
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Gabriele D. Lorenzo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Claudio Francescschi
- Institute of Information Technologies, Mathematics and Mechanics, Lobachevsky State University, Nizhny Novgorod,
Russia
- Institute of Biogerontology, Lobachevsky State University, Nizhny Novgorod,
Russia
| | - Mattia E. Ligotti
- Department of Research, ISMETT-IRCCS Mediterranean Institute for Transplants and Highly Specialized Therapies, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Maria C. Manfrinato
- University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara,
Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara,
Italy
| | - Annibale A. Puca
- Cardiovascular Department, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan,
Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno,
Italy
| | - Martina Tamburello
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P.Giaccone”, Palermo,
Italy
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Roberta Vassallo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P.Giaccone”, Palermo,
Italy
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Calabrò A, Accardi G, Aiello A, Caruso C, Galimberti D, Candore G. Senotherapeutics to Counteract Senescent Cells Are Prominent Topics in the Context of Anti-Ageing Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1792. [PMID: 38339070 PMCID: PMC10855240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is implicated in ageing and associated with a broad spectrum of age-related diseases. Importantly, a cell can initiate the senescence program irrespective of the organism's age. Various stress signals, including those defined as ageing hallmarks and alterations leading to cancer development, oncogene activation, or loss of cancer-suppressive functions, can trigger cellular senescence. The primary outcome of these alterations is the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, thereby inducing the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, components of this phenotype, contribute to chronic systemic sterile inflammation, commonly referred to as inflamm-ageing. This inflammation is linked to age-related diseases (ARDs), frailty, and increased mortality in older individuals. Additionally, senescent cells (SCs) accumulate in multiple tissues with age and are believed to underlie the organism functional decline, as demonstrated by models. An escalating effort has been dedicated to identify senotherapeutics that selectively target SCs by inducing apoptosis; these drugs are termed senolytics. Concurrently, small molecules that suppress senescent phenotypes without causing cell death are known as senomorphics. Both natural and synthetic senotherapeutics, along with immunotherapies employing immune cell-mediated clearance of SCs, currently represent the most promising strategies to combat ageing and ARDs. Indeed, it is fascinating to observe that information regarding the immune reaction to SCs indicates that regulation by specific lymphocyte subsets, elevated in the oldest centenarians, plays a role in attaining extreme longevity. Regardless, the application of methods already utilized in cancer treatment, such as CAR cells and monoclonal antibodies, broadens the spectrum of potential approaches to be utilized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Calabrò
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (A.C.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (A.C.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (A.C.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (A.C.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (G.C.)
- Italian Association of Anti-Ageing Physicians, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | | | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (A.C.); (G.A.); (A.A.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Accardi G, Aiello A, Aprile S, Calabrò A, Caldarella R, Caruso C, Ciaccio M, Dieli F, Ligotti ME, Meraviglia S, Candore G. The Phenotypic Characterization of the Oldest Italian Man from December 28, 2020, to September 23, 2021, A.T., Strengthens the Idea That the Immune System can Play a Key Role in the Attainment of Extreme Longevity. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7591. [PMID: 38137660 PMCID: PMC10744028 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we present demographic, clinical, anamnestic, cognitive, and functional data, as well as haematological, haematochemical, immunological, and genetic parameters of an exceptional individual: A.T., a semi-supercentenarian who held the title of the oldest living Italian male centenarian from 28 December 2020, to 23 September 2021. The purpose of this study is to provide fresh insights into extreme phenotypes, with a particular focus on immune-inflammatory parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first phenotypic investigation of a semi-supercentenarian, illustrating both INFLA-score, a metric designed to assess the cumulative impact of inflammatory markers and indicators of age-related immune phenotype (ARIP), recognized as significant gauges of biological ageing. The aim of this study was, indeed, to advance our understanding of the role of immune-inflammatory responses in achieving extreme longevity. The results of laboratory tests, as well as clinical history and interview data, when compared to the results of our recent study on Sicilian centenarians, demonstrate an excellent state of health considering his age. Consistent with previous studies, we observed increased IL-6 inflammatory markers and INFLA score in A.T. More interestingly, the semi-supercentenarian showed values of ARIP indicators such as naïve CD4+ cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and CD4+TN/TM ratio in the range of young adult individuals, suggesting that his immune system's biological age was younger than the chronological one. The results support the notion that the immune system can play a role in promoting extreme longevity. However, this does not rule out the involvement of other body systems or organs in achieving extreme longevity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (A.A.); (A.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (A.A.); (A.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Stefano Aprile
- Unit of Transfusion Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, 92100 Agrigento, Italy;
| | - Anna Calabrò
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (A.A.); (A.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Rosalia Caldarella
- Department of Laboratory medicine, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (R.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (A.A.); (A.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Marcello Ciaccio
- Department of Laboratory medicine, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (R.C.); (M.C.)
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Dieli
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (F.D.); (S.M.)
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (A.A.); (A.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Serena Meraviglia
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (F.D.); (S.M.)
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (A.A.); (A.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|