Leader: Sofia Pavanello (UNIPD); Other collaborator(s): Manuela Campisi (UNIPID)
The association between aging and the onset of chronic diseases with a negative impact on the employability of elderly workers is the focus of the Occupational Medicine research group (DSCTV). To this end, the group plans to investigate the impact of occupational and lifestyle exposures on molecular mechanisms of cellular ageing, including epigenetic ones and its relationship with telomeric/mitochondrial axis dysfunction. The aim of the research is to identify factors (even work-related) and lifestyles (natural product, physical activity, relaxation practices, and art-therapy) that accelerate or are capable of bringing back the biological clock. In addition, the team will assess ageing in tissues/organs to be transplanted.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results:
Main policy/industry/practice implications
This project provides a clear overview of the interconnections between ageing, chronic diseases, and the negative impact on the employability of elderly workers. Discoveries regarding the effects of occupational exposures and lifestyle on molecular mechanisms of cellular ageing, including epigenetic ones, are crucial for developing more sustainable policies and practices for older workers. Implications include promoting safer and healthier work environments, designing corporate wellness programs that encourage healthy lifestyles, and considering targeted intervention strategies to slow down biological ageing.
The analysis of epigenetic age using two different methods—the QIAGEN method and the Illumina Infinium Methylation Assay—has been completed in a population of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, assessed both before and after antifibrotic treatment. A comparative analysis between the two methods has been started in order to identify the markers exhibiting the most significant changes in methylation.
A clinical trial investigating the benefits of integrating a natural extract from Monarda didyma L. to reduce biological aging in a vulnerable population of aging workers (45–65 years) has been successfully completed. The analysis and evaluation of the results are underway, and a manuscript is currently being drafted for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
- In progress: Comparative analysis of two methods for epigenetic age assessment (QIAGEN method and Infinium Methylation Assay - Illumina) in a cohort of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), before and after anti-fibrotic treatment, aiming to identify the methylation markers with the most significant variation.
- Completed: Analysis and evaluation of the clinical trial investigating the benefits of integrating a natural extract of Monarda didyma L. to reduce biological aging in a vulnerable population of aging workers (45–65 years). The manuscript has been submitted for publication to GEROSCIENCE.
- in collaboration with:
1) Prof. Marco Narici (UNIPD) in progress: Epigenetic age and telomere length analyses to assess biological aging in human disuse atrophy, as part of a study conducted.
2) Dott. Fabrizio d’Adda di Fagagna (Spoke 2 LEADER Comprendere la biologia dell'invecchiamento) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, IGM, Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNR, Pavia, Italy. Analysis of DDRNA, a class of non-coding RNAs that are generated whenever the genetic material is damaged, in IPF samples for the study titled “Unveiling Ageing and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): advancing molecular via Next Generation Sequencing” conducted within the framework of the PE8 project.";3) Prof. Giuseppe Sergi (Spoke 4) Department of Medicine - DIMED - University of Padua. Recruitment and assessment of sarcopenic subjects and controls for the study titled “Epigenetic Basis of Low Birth Weight and Sarcopenia in Old Age” conducted within the framework of the PE8 project.
Scientific Update.
Optimization of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number (mtDNAcn) Analysis Using Digital PCR (dPCR);
Development and Completion: A new procedure for analyzing mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) using digital PCR (dPCR) has been developed and optimized. Analyses of baseline and follow-up samples from a clinical trial evaluated the benefits of the natural extract of Monarda didyma L. in reducing biological aging in a population of aging-susceptible workers (45–65 years).
New Developments: mtDNAcn analysis has been initiated as a biomarker of biological aging to investigate disuse atrophy in humans. The study is conducted in collaboration with Prof. Marco Narici (University of Padua).
- Campisi M, Cannella L, Bordin A, Moretto A, Scapellato ML, Mason P, Liviero F, Pavanello S, On Behalf Of Occupational Medicine Working Group. Revealing the Hidden Impacts: Insights into Biological Aging and Long-Term Effects in Pauci- and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Healthcare Workers. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jul 24;25(15):8056. doi: 10.3390/ijms25158056.
- Campisi M, Cannella L, PAVANELLO S. Cosmic chronometers: Is spaceflight a catalyst for biological ageing? Ageing Res Rev. 2024 Feb 10;95:102227. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102227.
- Campisi M., Cannella L., Celik D., Gabelli C., Gollin D., Simoni M., Ruaro C., Fantinato E., PAVANELLO S. Mitigating Cellular Ageing and Enhancing Cognitive Functionality: Visual Arts-Mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy (CAT) in Neurocognitive Disorders. Front. Aging Neurosci. Sec. Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior. Volume 16 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1354025.
- Celik D., Campisi M., Cannella L., PAVANELLO S. The Effect of Low Birth Weight as an Intrauterine Exposure on the Early Onset of Sarcopenia Through Possible Molecular Pathways. Accepted for publication in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle on 26 February 2024.
- Raisi-Estabragh et al. Non-invasive techniques for tracking biological aging of the cardiovascular system Accepted for publication in JACC Cardiovascular Imaging MARCH 2024.
Dissemination
- Coordination Meeting of UNIPD Units for the PNRR PE8 Project. Presentation titled: "Geroprotective Potential of Monarda didyma L.: From In Vitro Insights to Clinical Evidence in Slowing Biological Aging and Enhancing Quality of Life." Padua, October 22–23, 2024
- Conference: “Air Pollution: Let’s Clarify”. Presentation titled: "Environmental Pollutants and Their Health Effects in Adults." Padua, November 16, 2024
- ADI Veneto Conference: “Longevity and Nutrition: Present and Future”. Presentation titled: "Nutrition, Astronauts, and Aging in Space." Vicenza, November 22, 2024
- XIII Allergy Up-date Conference: “ALLERGY: ORGAN OR SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGY?”. Presentation titled: "Biological Aging and Occupational Exposures: A New Perspective." Padua, December 6, 2024
- 11th ARDD Congress (Aging Research and Drug Discovery) 2024 – Copenhagen, August 26–30, 2024. Presentation of two contributions:1) The antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory actions of Nintedanib and Pirfenidone improve biological aging in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Manuela Campisi, Luana Cannella, Paolo Spagnolo, Sofia Pavanello, Working Group BMR Genomics Acknowledgements. 2) Targeting Epigenetic and Telomere Length Induced by Age with a Flavonoid-Rich Extract from Monarda didyma L. to Improve Biological Aging and Quality of Life (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05399966). Luana Cannella, Manuela Campisi, Alberto Agnolin, Omar Paccagnella, Alessandra Brazzale, Torsten Grothe, Julia Baumann, Sofia Pavanello.
- 86th National SIML Congress – Pisa, September 25–27, 2024. Presentation of three contributions on aging: 1) Invecchiamento biologico e suscettibilità genetica nell’IPF: implicazioni per l'approccio terapeutico e preventivo. Manuela Campisi, Luana Cannella, Paolo Spagnolo, Sofia Pavanello. 2) Trial clinico con dispositivi Indossabili per studiare gli effetti della Monarda didyma L. sull’invecchiamento biologico. Luana Cannella, Manuela Campisi, Laura Fabris, Alessia Broggio, Sofia Pavanello. 3) Utilizzo dell'Intelligenza Artificiale nelle Pratiche di Medicina del Lavoro: revisione sistematica.Nadia Soledad Romeo Astigueta, Elena De Longhi, Luana Cannella, Manuela Campisi, Sofia Pavanello.
- UNIPD's Third-mission activities aimed at presenting the results of the PNRR project. Scheduled events:
1) Via Salutis, September 21–22, 2024; 2) Science4All – UNIPD, September 28–29, 2024.