Intestinal barrier and healthy aging

Throughout the last century, average life expectancy in Austria and many other countries has increased significantly. Aging is accompanied by a broad spectrum of physiological changes that affect the entire body, often limiting its normal functions. Despite intensive research efforts in recent decades, molecular mechanisms involved in age-related organ changes are not yet fully understood, and prevention strategies are lacking. Results of several studies suggest that aging is associated with changes in intestinal barrier function and that, as a consequence, there is an increased transfer of bacterial toxins. These could contribute to the so-called "inflammaging," a subclinical inflammation often seen in the elderly, even in the absence of any overt infections. The goal of the funded research project is to identify mechanisms involved in age-related changes of the intestinal barrier and investigate their role in aging-related changes of the gut. Molecular mechanisms identified in the project (1) will help to increase the understanding of age-related changes in the intestine, and (2) but will also help to find new targets to prevent the occurrence of intestinal barrier disorders in aging individuals, and thus, the development of inflammation.