Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
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Alexandra Sentyabreva, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Cellular Technologies and Tissue Engineering at the RUDN University Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, won the young scientist competition at the All-Russian Scientific Conference "Current Issues of Morphogenesis in Health and Disease." She was awarded the Academician A.P. Avtsyn Prize.
The research that earned Alexandra the award is devoted to the topic "The Role of Inflammation and Microglia Activation in the Development of Neurodegenerative Processes Induced by Long-Term Exposure to Aluminum Chloride in Mature and Old Male Wistar Rats." The paper's co-authors were Andrey Gerasimov, a postgraduate student at the RUDN University Institute of Medicine (Cellular Biology), and the young scientists' supervisor, Anna Kosyreva, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of Cellular Biotechnology, and Professor at the Department of Histology, Cytology, and Embryology at RUDN University. We spoke with Alexandra to learn about the practical value of the research, the key discoveries made during the course of the study, and what winning this award means to her.
What is the scientific novelty and potential practical value of the research?
The practical value of this study lies in confirming the need to model age-dependent, or aging-associated, neurodegeneration specifically in older animals. Such studies are relatively rare worldwide, and they are often conducted using transgenic or knockout animals, whose pathophysiological processes and chronology of onset differ radically from those in humans. We present a simple and accessible model that reproduces the molecular and cellular hallmarks of neurodegeneration, as well as changes in the morphofunctional properties of microglia—the primary immune cells of the central nervous system. Research into the role of microglia in the development of neurodegeneration is currently a trend. Our model of oxidative stress, which affects humans, particularly the elderly, can be used for preclinical studies of approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases based on interventions with microglia.
What was discovered during this work? Were there any results that contradicted the initial hypotheses?
A neurodegeneration model based on exposure to aluminum ions has long been described, but it has previously only been described in young animals. Various papers have shown increased gene expression and protein synthesis in these animals, which are considered pathognomonic of Alzheimer's disease—amyloid precursor protein and amyloid deposits. We replicated these observations in our study. However, in older animals, these processes were more pronounced, as were changes in the morphological and functional properties of microglial cells, which was unexpected. In young rats, we observed adaptation to oxidative stress, while in older animals, we observed pronounced maladaptation. We expected similar results, but what we obtained exceeded our expectations.
Do you plan to use this work as a basis for your PhD dissertation or some other project?
This experiment is the topic of my PhD dissertation. The paper presented at the conference included about half of the results of this work.
Which reports or trends presented at the conference where the competition results were announced did you find most interesting?
Professor Dmitry Alekseevich Sychev, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented a highly interesting report on pharmacogenetics. This is a challenging area of clinical practice, but it is highly relevant. My supervisor, Anna Mikhailovna, presented a report on the role of maternal immune activation in the development of sex-specific neurogenesis disorders in offspring. Fundamental research in this area is still limited, and understanding these processes and the risks associated with infections experienced by pregnant women is crucial for the care of these patients and for monitoring the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in children.
What does it mean to you personally to receive the Academician Avtsyn Prize?
The Academician A.P. Avtsyn Prize is recognition from colleagues, laboratory heads, and experienced faculty, which is undoubtedly very valuable. It also confirms the importance of our work and motivates us to continue developing it.
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