Primate exposure to anthropogenic pollutants: A role for comparative aging research

Primate exposure to anthropogenic pollutants: A role for comparative aging research Daniella E. Chusyd of Indiana University discusses how variation in rates of aging across species can help us understand the consequences of our chemical exposome. Aging research seeks to understand why health, physical function, and cognitive abilities change over time. While aging is often thought of simply as ‘getting older,’ biologically it reflects a gradual accumulation of damage and dysregulation across multiple systems. In 2013, researchers proposed the ‘hallmarks of aging’ framework, which identified core biological processes that contribute to age-related decline. (1) These include genomic instability (i.e., DNA damage), telomere (i.e., protective caps on chromosomes) shortening, epigenetic alterations (i.e., changes to how genes are regulated), impaired protein maintenance, deregulated nutrient sensing, disrupted energy production in mitochondria, accumulation of senescent cells, stem cell exhaustion, and altered communication between cells. More recent updates have incorporated impaired cellular recycling (i.e., autophagy), chronic inflammation, and imbalances in the microbiome as additional contributors. (2)