Mitochondria-Derived Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns in Aging

Mitochondria-derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are a proposed link between age-related mitochondrial damage and age-related inflammation, and this open access paper outlines present thinking on the topic. Mitochondria, the power plants of the cell, are strongly implicated in the progression of aging in a number of ways, the SENS view of damage to mitochondrial DNA producing dysfunctional cells being one, and a more general decline in mitochondrial energy generation for other reasons, yet to be fully mapped, being another. DAMPs are more in line with the first view rather than the second, in which broken cells and their mitochondria generate signals and other molecules that are either directly or indirectly causing further damage. Increased chronic inflammation might be considered a form of damage; it drives faster progression of all of the common age-related conditions, and any dysfunction that produces chronic inflammation is in effect a contributing cause of aging. Aging is a complex and multi-factorial process characterized by increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Understanding the intimate mechanisms of aging is therefore instrumental for contrasting its negative correlates. As initially proposed in the "mitochondrial theory of aging", mitochondria are deeply involved in the aging process mainly through respiratory dysfunction and oxidant generation. Although unique as fueling systems within the cell, mitochondria participate in other esse...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs