The effect of aging on neuroregenerative capacities:
insights from the senescent zebrafish retina
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1
KU Leuven, Biology, Belgium
As adult mammals lack the capacity to regenerate lost or damaged neurons, age-related deterioration of the central nervous system (CNS) seriously constrains life quality of a growing number of elderly. Despite intensive research, induction of neuronal and axonal regeneration and subsequent functional recovery remains a challenge, especially in an aging environment. Zebrafish in contrast, have a high neuroregenerative capacity. As they also age gradually, they form an ideal model to study the effects of aging on regeneration.
Within the zebrafish retinotectal system, a powerful model to study regenerative capacities, we first evaluated the overall effects of aging using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for detection of neurogenesis, apoptosis, synaptic integrity and inflammation. Next, axonal regeneration was followed using biocytin tracing and GAP43 immunostainings, after applying optic nerve crush (ONC).
Detailed analyses confirmed the occurrence of age-related retinal atrophy and demonstrated an increased number and altered distribution of microglia/macrophages, indicative for a clear manifestation of ‘inflammaging’. These hallmarks of aging are accompanied by a reduction in the neurogenic capacity of the ciliary marginal zone and importantly, by a delay in axonal regeneration after ONC, resulting in a diminished tectal reinnervation in 2-year-old zebrafish.
The zebrafish, already the focus of a myriad of regenerative studies, was recently also put forward as an aging model. Indeed, our results indicate several aging-hallmarks within the retinotectal system, which seem to influence regeneration capacities. These studies will allow us to elucidate underlying pathways, and might unveil new targets for the development of regenerative strategies in the senescent mammalian CNS.
Keywords:
Aging,
Zebrafish,
senescence,
axonal regeneration,
Neurogenesis
Conference:
11th National Congress of the Belgian Society for Neuroscience, Mons, Belgium, 22 May - 22 May, 2015.
Presentation Type:
Oral or Poster presentation
Topic:
Neuroscience
Citation:
Van Houcke
JM,
Bollaerts
I,
Beckers
A,
Lemmens
K,
De Groef
L and
Moons
L
(2015). The effect of aging on neuroregenerative capacities:
insights from the senescent zebrafish retina.
Front. Neurosci.
Conference Abstract:
11th National Congress of the Belgian Society for Neuroscience.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2015.89.00038
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Received:
29 Apr 2015;
Published Online:
05 May 2015.
*
Correspondence:
PhD. Jessie M Van Houcke, KU Leuven, Biology, Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, 3000, Belgium, jessie.vanhoucke@bio.kuleuven.be