PAPP-A: A new anti-aging target? Mayo Clinic Email Newsletter

PAPP-A: A new anti-aging target?

Mayo Clinic Email Newsletter

By Cheryl A. Conover, Ph.D., of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.,

A few summary points:

-        Cheryl A. Conover, Ph.D., strives for an extended, healthy life.  She proposes pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) as a therapeutic target for aging and age-related disease.

-        Although PAPP-A is found in high concentrations in pregnant women, it is also a therapeutic target for aging and age-related disease.

-        PAPP-A is a novel zinc metalloprotease expressed by various nonreproductive cell types as well, including fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and osteoblasts.

-        IGFs are associated with cellular and chronological aging

-        Reduction of IGF-1 signaling has been shown to prolong life span in diverse species.

-        Since PAPP-A enhances local IGF-1 action, inhibition of PAPP-A expression or proteolytic activity represents an innovative approach to decreasing IGF availability . . .

Dear Reader: This article is information rich.  If you like what you’ve seen so far, please read the entire article to learn about the research methods and how PAPP-A works –

Then let’s get to work on how to use this to create aging solutions.

What I like most is the ending: the solutions oriented approach Dr. Conover and Jan van Deursen, Ph.D., at Mayo Clinic are taking.

Dr. Conover says “. . . we are developing therapies to inhibit PAPP-A’s proteolytic activity.” The long-term goals of this laboratory include:

• Generate specific therapies that target PAPP-A

• Screen efficacy of these inhibitors in vivo

• Determine safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of such inhibitors

• Initiate clinical trials to regulate longevity and to control complications of age-related diseases in humans

Dr. Conover and van Deursen – I will be in contact with you with more information about the GRG.  Please keep us informed.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/clinical-updates/endocrinology/pregnancy-associated-plasma-protein-a-new-anti-aging-target

Related: Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A as a Marker of Acute Coronary Syndromes

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa003147

Johnny

John M. “Johnny” Adams

Executive Director Gerontology Research Group

JAdams at sign grg dot org

(650) 265-4969

(949) 922-9786 cell

~~~~

CEO / Exec. Director

Carl I. Bourhenne Medical Research Foundation / Aging Intervention Foundation

http://www.AgingIntervention.org

http://www.AgingIntervention.org/JohnnyAdamsBackgroundSummary.htm