A quantitative PCR method for measuring absolute telomere length

O’Callaghan, Nathan; Fenech, Michael

doi:10.1186/1480-9222-13-3

Cited by 392 publications

(337 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Absolute telomere length was determined according to published protocol (O'Callaghan & Fenech, 2011). DNA from spleen and liver was isolated using DNeasy Blood and Tissue kit (Qiagen) with slight modification of adding 1 m m DTT to eluate.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social stress shortens lifespan in mice

et al. 2018

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SummaryStress and low socioeconomic status in humans confer increased vulnerability to morbidity and mortality. However, this association is not mechanistically understood nor has its causation been explored in animal models thus far. Recently, cellular senescence has been suggested as a potential mechanism linking lifelong stress to age‐related diseases and shorter life expectancy in humans. Here, we established a causal role for lifelong social stress on shortening lifespan and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in mice. Specifically, we developed a lifelong chronic psychosocial stress model in which male mouse aggressive behavior is used to study the impact of negative social confrontations on healthspan and lifespan. C57BL/6J mice identified through unbiased cluster analysis for receiving high while exhibiting low aggression, or identified as subordinate based on an ethologic criterion, had lower median and maximal lifespan, and developed earlier onset of several organ pathologies in the presence of a cellular senescence signature. Critically, subordinate mice developed spontaneous early‐stage atherosclerotic lesions of the aortic sinuses characterized by significant immune cells infiltration and sporadic rupture and calcification, none of which was found in dominant subjects. In conclusion, we present here the first rodent model to study and mechanistically dissect the impact of chronic stress on lifespan and disease of aging. These data highlight a conserved role for social stress and low social status on shortening lifespan and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in mammals and identify a potential mechanistic link for this complex phenomenon.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social stress shortens lifespan in mice

et al. 2018

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“…Telomere length was measured using our modification of a quantitative real-time PCR assay that incorporates an oligomer standard to permit measurement of absolute (in kilobases per chromosome) rather than relative telomere length (30). Briefly, this method adapts the approach of Cawthon (31) in which relative telomere length is determined by quantitative PCR by determining the ratio of telomere copy repeats to a single-copy reference gene (the gene is 36B4).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social disadvantage, genetic sensitivity, and children’s telomere length

Mitchell

Hobcraft

McLanahan

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

244

215

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Significance This paper makes two contributions to research on the link between the social environment and health. Using data from a birth cohort study, we show that, among African American boys, those who grow up in highly disadvantaged environments have shorter telomeres (at age 9) than boys who grow up in highly advantaged environments. We also find that the association between the social environment and telomere length (TL) is moderated by genetic variation within the serotonin and dopamine pathways. Boys with the highest genetic sensitivity scores had the shortest TL when exposed to disadvantaged environments and the longest TL when exposed to advantaged environments. To our knowledge, this report is the first to document a gene–social environment interaction for TL, a biomarker of stress exposure.

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“…Our primers targeted the 75‐bp oligomer of the 36B4 reference gene. All samples showed the same product (at ~75 bp) when ran on a 2% gel, and no secondary products, so we are confident in the accuracy of our control gene (O'Callaghan & Fenech, 2011). …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 77%

Magellanic penguin telomeres do not shorten with age with increased reproductive effort, investment, and basal corticosterone

Cerchiara

Risques

Prunkard

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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All species should invest in systems that enhance longevity; however, a fundamental adult life‐history trade‐off exists between the metabolic resources allocated to maintenance and those allocated to reproduction. Long‐lived species will invest more in reproduction than in somatic maintenance as they age. We investigated this trade‐off by analyzing correlations among telomere length, reproductive effort and output, and basal corticosterone in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Telomeres shorten with age in most species studied to date, and may affect adult survival. High basal corticosterone is indicative of stressful conditions. Corticosterone, and stress, has been linked to telomere shortening in other species. Magellanic penguins are a particularly good model organism for this question as they are an unusually long‐lived species, exceeding their mass‐adjusted predicted lifespan by 26%. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found adults aged 5 years to over 24 years of age had similar telomere lengths. Telomeres of adults did not shorten over a 3‐year period, regardless of the age of the individual. Neither telomere length, nor the rate at which the telomeres changed over these 3 years, correlated with breeding frequency or investment. Older females also produced larger volume clutches until approximately 15 years old and larger eggs produced heavier fledglings. Furthermore, reproductive success (chicks fledged/eggs laid) is maintained as females aged. Basal corticosterone, however, was not correlated with telomere length in adults and suggests that low basal corticosterone may play a role in the telomere maintenance we observed. Basal corticosterone also declined during the breeding season and was positively correlated with the age of adult penguins. This higher basal corticosterone in older individuals, and consistent reproductive success, supports the prediction that Magellanic penguins invest more in reproduction as they age. Our results demonstrate that telomere maintenance may be a component of longevity even with increased reproductive effort, investment, and basal corticosterone.

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A quantitative PCR method for measuring absolute telomere length

Cited by 392 publications

References 37 publications

Social stress shortens lifespan in mice

Social stress shortens lifespan in mice

Social disadvantage, genetic sensitivity, and children’s telomere length

Magellanic penguin telomeres do not shorten with age with increased reproductive effort, investment, and basal corticosterone

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