PF4 Released by Platelets a Common Factor in Multiple Interventions Known to Reduce Neuroinflammation

Chronic inflammation of brain tissue is characteristic of aging and neurodegenerative conditions. The worse the inflammation, the worse the outcome. Lasting, unresolved inflammation in the absence of the usual causes of inflammation such as injury or infection occurs in aged tissues for a variety of reasons, including the pro-inflammatory signaling of senescent cells and triggering of innate immune responses by the mislocalization of mitochondrial DNA that occurs as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction. Current methods of suppressing inflammation are crude, a matter of blocking specific inflammatory signals passing between cells. This affects both excessive chronic inflammatory signaling and necessary inflammatory signaling involved in defense against pathogens, regeneration from injuries, and so forth. It is hoped that more sophisticated means can be found. One approach to finding better ways to downregulate inflammation is to decipher the signaling produced during interventions that are known to reduce age-related inflammation without greatly affecting the normal inflammatory response. That is the thrust of today's research materials, in which scientists identify a common signal molecule and regulatory path to dampen inflammation that is triggered during heterochronic parabiosis, in which the circulatory systems of an old mouse and a young mouse are joined, during exercise, and as a result of increased levels of the longevity-associated protein klotho. This is inter...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs