Association between prematurity, cellular senescence and circadian rhythmicity

• Grant number: 23/08657-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Vânia D'Almeida
• Grantee: Vânia D'Almeida
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Allan Chiaratti de Oliveira ; Priscila Farias Tempaku

Abstract

Senescence is a physiological process that plays an important role in homeostasis. However, it is known that the accumulation of senescent cells is also responsible for the development of diseases related to advancing age, which may interfere in circadian rhythm once it is related to lower expression of clock genes. One of the hypotheses for premature birth is that it may result from the accelerated aging process of extraembryonic tissues and, therefore, those born under these circumstances may present accelerated senescence. This hypothesis has been evidenced in some studies that found shorter telomeres in preterm infants. In addition to telomere length, hypermethylation in specific regions of DNA is also a promising marker of aging. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the association between prematurity, cellular senescence, and circadian rhythms. For this, preterm individuals from 10 years of age, under follow-up at the Ambulatório de Prematuros, and those born at term matched by sex and age will answer questionnaires related to their daytime preferences and sleep and to use a device that allows to evidence the activity and rest rhythms and the light exposure, to evaluate their circadian rhythm. To evaluate the aging process, the telomeres length, the expression of genes related to senescence and cell cycle control, and the DNA methylation profile will be studied using cells from the oral mucosa. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CAVALCANTE-SILVA, VANESSA; D'ALMEIDA, VANIA; TUFIK, SERGIO; ANDERSEN, MONICA L.. Artificial Intelligence, the Production of Scientific Texts, and the Implications for Sleep Science: Exploring Emerging Paradigms and Perspectives. SLEEP SCIENCE, v. 17, n. 03, p. 3-pg., 2024-07-23. (20/13467-8, 23/08657-0)

TEMPAKU, PRISCILA FARIAS; D'ALMEIDA, VANIA; ANDERSEN, MONICA LEVY; TUFIK, SERGIO. Sleep is associated with telomere shortening: A population-based longitudinal study. Journal of Sleep Research, v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2024-07-25. (20/13467-8, 23/08657-0)

NUNES-OLIVEIRA, ANA CAROLINA; TEMPAKU, PRISCILA FARIAS; TUFIK, SERGIO; DE OLIVEIRA, ALLAN CHIARATTI; D'ALMEIDA, VANIA. Cellular senescence and sleep in childhood and adolescence: A scoping review focusing on sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep Medicine, v. 122, p. 7-pg., 2024-08-21. (23/08657-0, 23/00216-5)