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Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), but the mechanisms by which it drives autosomal dominant and idiopathic forms of PD remain unclear. To investigate this, we generated and performed a comprehensive phenotypic analysis of a knock-in mouse model carrying the T61I mutation in the mitochondrial protein CHCHD2 (coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain-containing 2), which causes late-onset symptoms indistinguishable from idiopathic PD. We observed pronounced...

The extrafollicular (EF) B cell differentiation pathway has emerged as a prominent source of autoantibody-secreting cells (ASCs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CD21^(lo)CD11c^(+) B cells are associated with aging, infection, and autoimmunity. They are key contributors to EF ASCs, yet their developmental trajectory and receptor programming are unclear. To study EF mechanics of autoreactive B cells, we adoptively transferred naïve B cell populations into 564Igi mice, which act as an...

Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) offers a regenerative strategy for heart repair, but efficiency declines in adult and aged cells. Transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling identified cellular senescence as a major barrier limiting cardiac fibroblast (CF) plasticity and cardiogenic conversion. Postneonatal fibroblasts exhibited impaired activation of cardiac gene programs and persistent expression of fibrotic and inflammatory signatures. A loss-of-function...

Ancient RNA promises to shed light on how genes functioned in extinct animals

Dysregulated sleep has widespread health consequences, including the accumulation of DNA damage. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, provides a powerful model to study the evolution and consequences of sleep loss. Multiple cave-adapted populations of this species have independently evolved reduced sleep compared to surface populations, yet show no obvious decline in healthspan or longevity. To examine whether evolved sleep loss is associated with DNA damage, we compared DNA damage response...

CONCLUSIONS: Silent Disco events show potential in challenging stereotypes and fostering inclusivity, but additional strategies are needed to promote deeper intergenerational engagement and social inclusion.

INTRODUCTION: Researchers working in the field of cognitive aging frequently encounter highly motivated yet nervous older participants during data collection in the laboratory. Such anecdotal experiences raise the question of whether the affective or physiological response of older participants to psychological laboratory experiments differs to that of young adults, who might be less motivated but also less nervous, as they may be more used to the environment and to learning and memory tests.