12 research outputs found
Molecular Chaperones and Protein Quality Control System in the Canine Model of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Aged dogs naturally develop cognitive dysfunction and represent a valuable
spontaneous animal model for studying normal aging and neurodegeneration.
Elderly canines also share neuropathological hallmarks similar to those observed
in humans, especially Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology or amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis. In addition, pet dogs share similar living conditions and
diets to humans. Increasing oxidative damage, as well as alterations of the
intracellular protein quality control system, including ubiquitin-proteasome
system (UPS) and Heat shock proteins (Hsp), have been observed in the brain
of aged dogs. Thus, future researches carried out on the canine spontaneous
model may be useful to define the involvement of age-related alterations in
Hsp expression and UPS activity in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative
diseases, as well as to perform translational antioxidant treatment/prevention
studies. The possibility to design novel therapeutic approaches, including Hspbased
therapies, may help to increase chaperone protection against proteotoxic
stress occurring in human and canine brain during aging