Age-related decrease of the LAMP-2 gene expression in human leukocytes

Objective: Autophagy is a highly conserved degradation pathway in cells, which has been involved in many physiological processes and implicated in human age-related diseases. However, autophagy activities have not been systemically investigated with human tissues and cells. Methods: Lysosomal associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) protein is critical for autophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy. We examined LAMP-2 gene expression and protein levels in the peripheral leukocytes from healthy subjects over 40years old. esults: Compared to those in group of 40-44 years, the LAMP-2 transcript and protein levels in groups of 65-69 (P<0.01) and over 70 years (P<0.001) were significantly decreased. No significant difference in LAMP-2 transcript and protein levels were observed between male and female groups. Conclusions: Our data revealed that there was a progressive and age-related decrease of the LAMP-2 gene expression in the peripheral leukocytes of healthy subjects, indicating a trend of decreasing autophagy activities with aging. (C) 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.