They are byproducts of aerobic metabolism. The level of oxidants increases as a result of radiation, intoxication of certain xenobiotics and disease states involving inflammatory response or ischemia-reperfusion. Experimental evidence supports the Free Radical Theory of Aging, suggesting a role of oxidative stress in aging. Since aging is the highest risk factor for many life-threatening diseases including cancer and heart diseases, it is important to understand how our body deals with oxidative stress at the cellular and molecular level. Molecular Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress Response.
Fibroblasts are the most abundant cell type within our body.
They are scaffolds for other cells to function on. Using human fibroblasts as an experimental model system, we are identifying genes that are upregulated by oxidants using genomic and proteomic approaches. These approaches in combination with classical molecular techniques allow us to searching for the critical molecules that control a series cellular changes resulting from oxidant exposure such as premature senescence and apoptosis. The Relationship between Cellular Senescence and Carcinogenesis. The risk of cancer increases exponentially with age for humans after 40 years old.