SOX2 expression diminishes with ageing in several tissues in mice and humans

Publication date: Available online 21 March 2018Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and DevelopmentAuthor(s): Estefania Carrasco-Garcia, Leire Moreno-Cugnon, Idoia Garcia, Consuelo Borras, Miren Revuelta, Ander Izeta, Guillermo Lopez-Lluch, Marian M. de Pancorbo, Itziar Vergara, Jose Vina, Ander MatheuAbstractSOX2 (Sex-determining region Y box 2) is a transcription factor expressed in several foetal and adult tissues and its deregulated activity has been linked to chronic diseases associated with ageing. Nevertheless, the level of SOX2 expression in aged individuals at the tissue level has not previously been examined. In this work, we show that SOX2 expression decreases significantly in the brain with ageing, in both humans and rodents. The administration of resveratrol for 6 months in mice partly attenuated this reduction. We also identified an age-related decline in SOX2 mRNA and protein expression in several other organs, namely, the lung, heart, kidney, spleen and liver. Moreover, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from elderly expressed lower levels of SOX2 than those from young individuals. Mechanistically, SOX2 expression inversely correlates with p16Ink4a levels. Together, these data show a widespread decrease in SOX2 with age, suggesting that the decline in SOX2 expression might be used as a biomarker of ageing.

Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development - July 5, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research