Functional analyses of food materials using progeria models

Abstract

Progeria is a genetic disease in which premature aging-like symptoms appear at a younger age, earlier than actual age. Molecular genetic studies of hereditary progeria have identified the causative genes and genes that contribute to DNA repair or genomic stability. Cells derived from patients with progeria also exhibit cellular senescence traits, indicating the contribution of DNA damage and cellular senescence. Despite the development of various models for Werner syndrome, which is common in the Japanese population, there is still no suitable model system that exhibits signs of aging. Recently, we have attempted to create a new mouse model of Werner syndrome and have shown that the mouse model can reproduce some of the symptoms of the patient and that the tissue cells exhibit cellular senescence traits. Cells derived from the mouse model are sensitive to senolytic drugs and can be evaluated for their senolytic effects. In this review, we will give an overview of hereditary progeria, introduce the latest mouse models of progeria, and discuss the possibility of controlling aging with functional foods.