Single-cell sequencing unveils the impact of aging on the progenitor cell diversity in the telencephalon of the female killifish N. furzeri.

The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) combines a short lifespan with spontaneous age-associated loss of neuro-regenerative capacity, an intriguing trait atypical for a teleost. The impact of aging on the cellular composition of the adult stem cell niches, leading to this dramatic decline in the postnatal neuro- and gliogenesis, remains elusive. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the telencephalon of young adult female killifish of the short-lived GRZ-AD strain unveiled progenitors of glial and non-glial nature, different excitatory and inhibitory neuron subtypes, as well as non-neural cell types.

Age-related alterations in the behavioral response to a novel environment in the African turquoise killifish ().

The African turquoise killifish () has emerged as a popular model organism for neuroscience research in the last decade. One of the reasons for its popularity is its short lifespan for a vertebrate organism. However, little research has been carried out using killifish in behavioral tests, especially looking at changes in their behavior upon aging.

A short dasatinib and quercetin treatment is sufficient to reinstate potent adult neuroregenesis in the aged killifish.

The young African turquoise killifish has a high regenerative capacity, but loses it with advancing age, adopting several aspects of the limited form of mammalian regeneration. We deployed a proteomic strategy to identify pathways that underpin the loss of regenerative power caused by aging. Cellular senescence stood out as a potential brake on successful neurorepair.

Morphological Analysis of Aging Hallmarks in the Central Nervous System of the Fast-Aging African Turquoise Killifish.

As the number of elderly individuals is increasing in modern society, the need for a relevant gerontology model is higher than ever before. Aging can be defined by specific cellular hallmarks, described by López-Otín and colleagues, who provided a map which can be used to scavenge the aging tissue environment. As revealing the presence of individual hallmarks does not necessarily indicate aging, here we provide different (immuno)histochemical approaches that can be used to investigate several aging hallmarks-namely, genomic damage, mitochondrial dysfunction/oxidative stress, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication-in the killifish retina, optic tectum, and/or telencephalon at a morphological level.

Preparation of High-Viability Single-Cell Suspensions from African Turquoise Killifish Brain Tissue.

Studying the brain at the single-cell level has become increasingly popular in recent years. This, however, remains challenging, especially in emerging model organisms. To carry out single-cell sequencing, the preparation of a high-viability single-cell suspension is critical.

A Robust and Reproducible Method to Study Neurorepair after Stab Injury in the African Turquoise Killifish Telencephalon.

The aging population (people >60 yr old) is steadily increasing worldwide, resulting in an increased prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Despite intensive research efforts in the past decades, there are still no therapies available to stop, cure, or prevent these diseases. Induction of successful neuroregeneration (i.

Aging impairs the essential contributions of non-glial progenitors to neurorepair in the dorsal telencephalon of the Killifish Nothobranchius furzeri.

The aging central nervous system (CNS) of mammals displays progressive limited regenerative abilities. Recovery after loss of neurons is extremely restricted in the aged brain. Many research models fall short in recapitulating mammalian aging hallmarks or have an impractically long lifespan.

Modeling Neuroregeneration and Neurorepair in an Aging Context: The Power of a Teleost Model.

Aging increases the risk for neurodegenerative disease and brain trauma, both leading to irreversible and multifaceted deficits that impose a clear societal and economic burden onto the growing world population. Despite tremendous research efforts, there are still no treatments available that can fully restore brain function, which would imply neuroregeneration. In the adult mammalian brain, neuroregeneration is naturally limited, even more so in an aging context.