Circulating miR-21, miR-146a and Fas ligand respond to postmenopausal estrogen-based hormone replacement therapy – a study with monozygotic twin pairs

Publication date: Available online 28 November 2014 Source:Mechanisms of Ageing and Development Author(s): Reeta Kangas , Eija Pöllänen , Maria Rita Rippo , Catia Lanzarini , Francesco Prattichizzo , Paula Niskala , Juulia Jylhävä , Sarianna Sipilä , Jaakko Kaprio , Antonio Domenico Procopio , Miriam Capri , Claudio Franceschi , Fabiola Olivieri , Vuokko Kovanen Biological aging is associated with physiological deteriorations, which are partly due to changes in the hormonal profile. MicroRNAs regulate various processes associated with cell senescence; differentiation, replication and apoptosis. Serum microRNAs have potential to serve as noninvasive markers for diagnostics/prognostics and therapeutic targets. We analysed the association of estrogen-based hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with selected microRNAs and inflammation markers from the serum, leukocytes and muscle biopsy samples from 54-62 year-old postmenopausal monozygotic twins (n=11 pairs) discordant for HRT usage. Premenopausal 30-35 year-old women (n=8) were used as young controls. We focused on the hormonal aging and on the interaction between HRT use and the modulation of miR-21, miR-146a and classical inflammation markers. Fas-ligand was analysed since it functions in both apoptosis and inflammation. The inflammatory profile was healthier among the premenopausal women compared to the postmenopausal twins. Serum miR-21 and miR-146a levels and FasL concentrations were lower in HRT users c...
Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research