Determining the mechanisms regulating immune-directed clearance of senescent cells to promote healthy ageing (360G-Wellcome-206224_Z_17_Z)

£1,143,611

The number of people over the age of 65 is predicted to double by 2060, accompanied by an increase in chronic diseases, which already consume up to 80% of healthcare costs. Developing therapies for chronic ageing diseases is, therefore, an urgent priority. A key driver of ageing diseases is telomere dysfunction and consequent cell senescence. Genetic ablation of senescent cells ameliorates diseases of ageing in mice, highlighting senescence as a promising therapeutic target. The immune system clears senescent cells, but with ageing, senescent cells accumulate causing disease. The mechanisms regulating senescent cell clearance in telomere-dependent ageing in vivo are unknown. I will test the hypothesis that senescent cells are not cleared with ageing due to telomerase-dependent dysfunction of the immune system. I will use the premature ageing telomerase mutant zebrafish I developed, which age in a telomere- dependent manner, and are exceptionally amenable for imaging and genetic manipulation. I will determine which leukocytes clear senescent cells in aged tissues in vivo, identify the key mechanisms involved and determine how these change with ageing. I will then test whether manipulation of these targets is sufficient to prevent or delay tissue degeneration and frailty in old zebrafish.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 1143611
Applicant Surname Henriques
Approval Committee Sir Henry Dale Fellowship Interview Committee
Award Date 2017-02-22T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2016/17
Grant Programme: Title Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
Internal ID 206224/Z/17/Z
Lead Applicant Dr Catarina Henriques
Partnership Name Royal Society/Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
Partnership Value 1143611
Planned Dates: End Date 2024-08-01T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2018-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Yorkshire and the Humber
Sponsor(s) Prof Stephen Renshaw