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H2020Staff exchange2017–2023

MILEAGE · Microelements in Life Expectancy and Aging

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2017-05-01 → 2023-08-31
EU contribution
€864,000
Participants
7
Scheme
MSCA-RISE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.

Results in brief

Microelements in Life Expectancy and Aging

For the past century, and particularly over the past few decades, life expectancy increased significantly and according to the World Health Organisation it continues growing at fast rate of about 6% in 20 years, with suggestions that it may reach 100 years this century. This is attributed to advances in healthcare, better nutrition and lifestyle changes. Increased longevity, with a high quality of life, is desirable not only for personal life satisfaction but also for reducing healthcare costs and for increasing socioeconomic contributions of individuals in countries with ageing population demographics, including Europe. Adequate nutrition plays a key role in maintaining cellular functions within normal limits. Microelements such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential for life and are involved in normal functioning of the human body. Our body tissues consist of cells and, through the functioning of channels and transporters, influx and efflux of Zn and Cu are tightly controlled. At a molecular level, Zn and Cu play structural, regulatory and catalytic roles in thousands of proteins. Zn in cells protects against oxidation by controlling the production of reducing agents and stabilising molecules that contain oxygen-reactive groups. Cu can exist in both oxidised and reduced forms. In living cells, Cu can also participate in unwanted redox reactions, generating harmful free radicals. Damage caused by over-oxidation is difficult for cells to counteract and repair and so damage is cumulative over time. This process at a whole-body level contributes to ageing but at a cellular level accelerates senescence. The mechanisms responsible for dysregulation of these metals require thorough investigation from molecules to the whole body. However, despite the importance of a holistic approach to this subject, such studies are limited. The MILEAGE Project aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms by which ageing affects Zn and Cu absorption and excretion, and also their functional roles. The specific objectives targeted age-related alterations in homeostasis and control of these metals on multiple levels, from gut microbiota to groups of volunteers and patients, while testing the expression of genes and the function of proteins. In accordance with the RISE action of intensive scientific exchange, the Project provided extensive multifactorial training to researchers from organizations in different countries and promoted the acquisition of unique experience and knowledge.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Increased longevity with a high quality of life is desirable not only for personal life-satisfaction but also for reducing healthcare costs and for increasing the socioeconomic contributions of individuals in countries with ageing population demographics. Lifelong lifestyle has an important impact on health status in older age and adequate nutrition plays a key role in maintaining cellular functions within normal limits. Microelements such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential for life and are involved in the normal functioning of thousands of proteins. The dysregulation of these metals leads to perturbed homeostasis, disease and diminished quality of life. In this study, the molecular mechanisms by which ageing affects Zn and Cu absorption and excretion will be determined, and the consequent impact on metal flux and transport kinetics will be expressed by mathematical modelling. The project output will include a predictive model for the impact of ageing on Zn and Cu homeostasis, informing intervention with dietary advice or supplementation to improve longevity. The consortium combines intersectoral and interdisciplinary expertise from 3 EU and 2 partner countries with established links and clear potential for knowledge exchange and transfer of skills. The consortium objectives are:1. To determine the impact of dietary Zn and Cu on the microbiota and also age-related changes in the microbiota composition on the absorption of Zn and Cu.2. To understand the influence of senescence on the regulation of Zn and Cu flux into and out of key cells controlling their homeostasis (gut mucosal cells, pancreatic acinar cells and hepatocytes) and its impact on the expression of related genes such as transporters.3. To determine how senescence affects the transporter proteins, channels and chaperones involved in regulating Zn and Cu trafficking through the key absorptive and excretory cells affecting body metal homeostasis.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITE DE PICARDIE JULES VERNE · AmiensCoordinatorFrance
  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE · ParisFrance
  • Instituto Nacional de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología · HavanaCity levelCuba
  • LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION ENTERPRISE I.F. LAB · KyivUkraine
  • THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN · AberdeenUnited Kingdom
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES U WI* · KingstonJamaica
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE · SantiagoChile

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union