Organ aging is a gradual, multifaceted biological process characterized by progressive structural deterioration and functional decline. This phenomenon is governed by both genetic and environmental insults, manifesting through cellular senescence, genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation. As organ systems deteriorate with age, susceptibility to a wide spectrum of aging-related diseases increases, ranging from cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases to metabolic and musculoskeletal impairments.
Fig. 1 Age-related deterioration in the function of various organ systems during human aging. (Xu W, et al., 2020)
CD BioSciences offers advanced and customized solutions for investigating the underlying mechanisms of organ aging to support anti-aging drug discovery, biomarker validation, and preclinical evaluation.
Skin aging represents one of the most visible and well-characterized manifestations of the aging process. At CD BioSciences, we apply a range of advanced imaging techniques to study skin aging. We offer histopathological services to analyze age-related changes in epidermal and dermal thickness. We support a range of assays to assess alterations in cell renewal processes and extracellular matrix components, which are key indicators of skin aging. We also help clients perform immunohistochemical staining to quantify key senescence markers.
Cardiac aging involves structural and functional changes that significantly increase the risk of aging-related cardiovascular diseases. Our company assists clients in characterizing cell senescence in cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), cardiac fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and valve interstitial cells (VICs). We also offer services to measure left ventricular dimensions, analyze echocardiographic systolic and diastolic functions, and determine myocardial performance index (MPI) in mice, rats, and larger animal models.
The aging brain undergoes complex structural and biochemical changes that impair cognitive and motor functions. We offer immunohistochemical analysis to identify glial activation markers and neuronal markers at the cellular level. Our experts help determine gene expression to reveal age-related dysregulation of inflammatory cytokines and synaptic plasticity genes. Through quantitative imaging and molecular analysis in rodent models of brain aging, we provide characterization of cortical, hippocampal, and global brain aging phenotypes.
We offer comprehensive services to assess senescent phenotypes in renal cells, including tubular epithelial cells, podocytes, and interstitial fibroblasts. In rodent and non-rodent models, our experts specialize in Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson's Trichrome staining of aging kidneys to assess basement membrane thickening, fibrotic expansion, and tubular injury. We also support clients in assessing renal function using glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurements and creatinine clearance assays, which serve as gold-standard indicators of filtration efficiency.
Aging of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract impairs digestion, nutrient absorption, barrier function, and immune tolerance, thereby contributing to malnutrition, microbiome dysbiosis, and systemic inflammation. We provide comprehensive analysis services to characterize cellular senescence in the aging GI tract, such as intestinal stem cells, enterocytes, Paneth cells, and subepithelial myofibroblasts. Our company offers intestinal permeability evaluation services to assess barrier integrity in guinea-pig, mouse, and rat models. Additionally, we help clients analyze gut microbiota composition via 16S rRNA sequencing to identify age-related changes in microbial diversity.
We offer a comprehensive range of services to characterize adipose tissue senescence. Our experts specialize in characterizing cellular senescence across key adipose tissue cell types. Using high-resolution imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound scans, we quantify age-related redistribution of adipose tissue.
Bone aging is characterized by a progressive decline in bone mass, deterioration of microarchitecture, and impaired remodeling dynamics, resulting in increased fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Our experts use high-resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to assist clients in quantifying changes in cortical thickness, trabecular number, spacing, and connectivity. We also help clients evaluate mineral density distribution using quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI) and Raman spectroscopy to detect heterogeneity in bone mineralization.
Organ aging is a systemic and multifaceted process that involves intricate molecular, cellular, and physiological changes. CD BioSciences provides an extensive array of services to capture the complexity of aging biology across diverse organ systems. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.
Reference
- Xu W, et al. The untwining of immunosenescence and aging. Semin Immunopathol, 2020, 42 (5): 559-572.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
