Aging research using the common marmoset: Focus on aging interventions

Abstract Age is a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). The mechanisms that contribute to OA are poorly understood and disease modifying treatments have not been identified. A critical shortcoming in developing therapies is the limited number of translational models available to identify the causes of naturally occurring OA. Our goal is to use the common marmoset as a non-human primate (NHP) model of age-related OA. NHP are the closest evolutionary relative to humans and share many characteristics of human aging. The marmoset has advantages over other NHP for aging research because of their relatively short maximal lifespan and small size. Micro-computed tomography (uCT) was performed on whole-knee joints obtained from young (10 yrs, n=3) marmosets at necropsy. OA was evaluated using a clinical uCT scoring system and quantitative assessments of subchondral bone structure and ossified meniscal volume. Advancing age was positively correlated to increased uCT OA score (p<0.05, r=0.59 ), mainly through increased number and size of osteophytes and progressive subchondral bone sclerosis from the medial to both medial and lateral compartments. For marmosets displaying meniscal ossification, older marmosets had greater (p<0.05) ossified meniscal volume than middle-aged and younger marmosets, respectively. Trabecular (p=0.05) and cortical bone thickness (p<0.05) were also lower in older marmosets. These data are the first to indicate that the marmoset develops naturally occurring, age-related OA and support the pursuit of additional studies using the marmoset to identify OA mechanisms and test potential interventions.

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The Common Marmoset: A Highly Translatable Small Nonhuman Primate Model of Aging

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1589 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 412-412

Author(s):

Ricki Colman

Keyword(s):

Rapid Development ◽

Large Degree ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

High Fertility ◽

Primate Model ◽

Aging Research ◽

Short Lifespan ◽

Age Related ◽

Shared Parenting ◽

The Common

Abstract The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has been used in biomedical research for many years, but within the last decade its popularity has increased dramatically prompted to a large degree by their realized utility for neuroscience and aging research. Many factors make the marmoset an attractive model system including their genetic and physiological similarity to humans, relatively short lifespan (average of ~13 years, maximum of ~20 years), high fertility (highest of any primate, routine production of 2-3 offspring every 5-6 months), rapid development (reproductively competent by ~1.5 years of age, aged by 7-8 years of age), small size (~400 grams), human-like social structure consisting of cooperative breeding with shared parenting responsibilities, and lack of zoonotic diseases of concern to humans. Marmosets share ~93% sequence identity with the human genome and they develop similar age-related conditions as humans. Marmosets may strike the perfect balance between similarity to humans and abbreviated aging course.

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Normal tension glaucoma-like degeneration of the visual system in aged marmosets

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-51281-y ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Takahiko Noro ◽

Kazuhiko Namekata ◽

Atsuko Kimura ◽

Yuriko Azuchi ◽

Nanako Hashimoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Cortex ◽

Visual System ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

Normal Tension Glaucoma ◽

Aging Research ◽

Short Lifespan ◽

Oxidative Stress Level ◽

The Common ◽

Incident Rate ◽

Human Primate

Abstract The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a non-human primate that provides valuable models for neuroscience and aging research due to its anatomical similarities to humans and relatively short lifespan. This study was carried out to examine whether aged marmosets develop glaucoma, as seen in humans. We found that 11% of the aged marmosets presented with glaucoma-like characteristics; this incident rate is very similar to that in humans. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a significant volume loss in the visual cortex, and histological analyses confirmed the degeneration of the lateral geniculate nuclei and visual cortex in the affected marmosets. These marmosets did not have elevated intraocular pressure, but showed an increased oxidative stress level, low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, and low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB expression in the retina, optic nerve head and CSF. Our findings suggest that marmosets have potential to provide useful information for the research of eye and the visual system.

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MARMOSET MONKEYS AS A MODEL OF AGING

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.028 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S8-S9

Author(s):

Suzette Tardif ◽

Corinna Ross

Keyword(s):

Life Span ◽

World Monkey ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

Preclinical Model ◽

Aging Research ◽

The Past ◽

Short Life Span ◽

Age Related ◽

The Common ◽

Definition Of

Abstract Interest in the New World Monkey, the common marmoset, as a nonhuman primate aging model is growing. Because marmosets have a fast maturation and short life span compared with more commonly used Old World monkey models, the aging research community began to explore the potential of this model species. In addition, the relative ease with which marmosets can be bred in a barrier environment enhances their value as a life-span model. Since that time, efforts to better define what aging actually looks like in marmosets has intensified. Important findings of the past decade include: (1) a refined definition of lifespan in this species and what affects age-specific survival; (2) assessments of age-related pathological changes; (3) development of functional phenotyping relevant to aging, such as activiyy, strength, body composition, cytokine profiling; (4) support of studies using the marmoset as a preclinical model to test intervention that may modulate the aging process.

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