Physiological ageing is associated with a decline in the ability of the human body to heal itself by replacing damaged cells or tissues for healthy ones. As a result, elderly accumulate damaged cells and scar tissues that medically manifest as fibrosis. The causes for aging associated cellular damage and for the declining regenerative capacity in the elderly are mostly unclear. Recent genetic studies found a striking correlation between iron availability in the body and healthy aging. Individuals with a better capacity to deal with excess iron were found to be more likely to age in a healthy way, and to live particularly long lives. Iron is an essential element for cellular respiration and for blood formation. Iron deficiency causes low red blood cell count (anemia), and fatigue. However, too much iron can be toxic to cells. Damaged cells for unknown reasons accumulate iron. Iron accumulation also occurs on the level of the body throughout aging. However, whether iron accumulation can be causatively linked to aging associated phenomena, such as cellular damage and fibrosis, remains unclear.
The central hypothesis of this action was that there is a causative link between free-iron levels, cellular damage and fibrosis. This action experimentally addressed whether patients with fibrotic diseases are more likely to have altered iron levels, whether iron levels can be made accountable for aging associated cellular damage, and fibrosis, and whether lowering iron levels can prevent fibrosis.
This action found that fibrotic tissues from various organs present with iron accumulation. Free iron levels have a clear causative role in fibrotic disorders. Increased iron levels are sufficient to explain aging associated cellular damage. Modulating iron levels can prevent fibrosis formation.
The findings of this action have been presented to the international scientific community on several conferences. The manuscript summarizing the results of this action is currently in preparation. Building on these findings the fellow is currently in the process of applying for independence in order to establish his own laboratory.
