A reduction in insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I signaling has been associated with an extension in lifespan and the delayed onset of age-related disorders in diverse species. However, the underlying mechanisms of the aging process related to the IGF system remain to be determined. The IGF system is complex with ubiquitously expressed IGF receptors that mediate diverse biological outcomes. There is also a complement of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) and IGFBP proteases that ultimately determine ligand availability and, therefore, regulate cellular response. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have identified a novel IGFBP protease, PAPP-A, that controls local IGF action. Our overall hypothesis is that the aging process in mammals is regulated by IGFBPase/PAPP-A. IGFBPase/PAPP-A is a secreted protein that degrades an inhibitory IGFBP thereby increasing IGF-I available for receptor activation. Thus, interventions that decrease IGFBPase/PAPP-A expression or inhibit its proteolytic activity (thereby decreasing IGF-I bioavailability) should increase longevity. Our data in IGFBPase/PAPP-A knock-out mice strongly support this tenet, i.e., genetic deletion of IGFBPase/PAPP-A extends both the mean and maximum lifespan of mice. It will be important to understand the mechanisms underlying this longevity in order to establish a scientific basis for potential development of anti-aging therapies targeting an extracellular regulator of IGF-I action, IGFBPase/PAPP-A. Towards this goal, the Specific Aims of the proposal are to: 1) Determine mortality rates and age-related pathologies in wild-type and IGFBPase/PAPP-A knock-out mice, 2) Define the mechanistic components (e.g., metabolism, antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial DNA damage) associated with the extended lifespan of IGFBPase/PAPP-A knock-out mice, 3) Determine if IGFBPase/PAPP-A deficiency affects immune competence, and 4) Assess the contribution of IGFBPase/PAPP-A deficiency during fetal development to extended lifespan. The proposed studies seek to gain a better understanding of IGFBPase/PAPP-A and the IGF system in the fundamental biology of aging, with implications for novel strategies to slow the aging process and increase quality lifespan in humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG028141-03
Application #
7589688
Study Section
Cellular Mechanisms in Aging and Development Study Section (CMAD)
Program Officer
Finkelstein, David B
Project Start
2007-04-01
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-01
Budget End
2010-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$263,147
Indirect Cost
Name
Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Department
Type
DUNS #
006471700
City
Rochester
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55905
Bale, Laurie K; West, Sally A; Conover, Cheryl A (2018) Characterization of mouse pericardial fat: regulation by PAPP-A. Growth Horm IGF Res 42-43:1-7
Conover, Cheryl A; Oxvig, Claus (2017) PAPP-A: a promising therapeutic target for healthy longevity. Aging Cell 16:205-209
Bale, Laurie K; West, Sally A; Conover, Cheryl A (2017) Inducible knockdown of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A gene expression in adult female mice extends life span. Aging Cell 16:895-897
Conover, Cheryl A; Bale, Laurie K; Nair, K Sreekumaran (2016) Comparative gene expression and phenotype analyses of skeletal muscle from aged wild-type and PAPP-A-deficient mice. Exp Gerontol 80:36-42
Conover, Cheryl A; Bale, Laurie K; Marler, Ronald J (2015) Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A deficiency improves survival of mice on a high fat diet. Exp Gerontol 70:131-4
Harstad, Sara L; Conover, Cheryl A (2014) Tissue-specific changes in pregnancy associated plasma protein-A expression with age in mice. Exp Gerontol 57:13-7
Davidge-Pitts, Caroline; Escande, Carlos J; Conover, Cheryl A (2014) Preferential expression of PAPPA in human preadipocytes from omental fat. J Endocrinol 222:87-97
Mason, Emily J; Grell, Jacquelyn A; West, Sally A et al. (2014) Motor and memory testing of long-lived pregnancy-associated plasma protein--a knock-out mice. Growth Horm IGF Res 24:251-5
Conover, Cheryl A; Harstad, Sara L; Tchkonia, Tamar et al. (2013) Preferential impact of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A deficiency on visceral fat in mice on high-fat diet. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 305:E1145-53
Conover, Cheryl A; Bale, Laurie K; Powell, David R (2013) Inducible knock out of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-a gene expression in the adult mouse: effect on vascular injury response. Endocrinology 154:2734-8

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