Decreased blood vessel density and endothelial cell subset dynamics during ageing of the endocrine system.
EMBO J
; 40(1): e105242, 2021 01 04.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33215738
ABSTRACT
Age-associated alterations of the hormone-secreting endocrine system cause organ dysfunction and disease states. However, the cell biology of endocrine tissue ageing remains poorly understood. Here, we perform comparative 3D imaging to understand age-related perturbations of the endothelial cell (EC) compartment in endocrine glands. Datasets of a wide range of markers highlight a decline in capillary and artery numbers, but not of perivascular cells in pancreas, testis and thyroid gland, with age in mice and humans. Further, angiogenesis and ß-cell expansion in the pancreas are coupled by a distinct age-dependent subset of ECs. While this EC subpopulation supports pancreatic ß cells, it declines during ageing concomitant with increased expression of the gap junction protein Gja1. EC-specific ablation of Gja1 restores ß-cell expansion in the aged pancreas. These results provide a proof of concept for understanding age-related vascular changes and imply that therapeutic targeting of blood vessels may restore aged endocrine tissue function. This comprehensive data atlas offers over > 1,000 multicolour volumes for exploration and research in endocrinology, ageing, matrix and vascular biology.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Envejecimiento
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Células Endoteliales
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Sistema Endocrino
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Animals
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article