Cell-free MItochondrial DNA as a Mediator of Inflammation: tracing the footprint of Life-style Exposures (The MIMILEX Project)

This project aims to elucidate the role of a novel mediator of inflammation, the mtDNA, investigating its association with risk factors associated to life-style exposures (diet in particular). In particular, we will focus on circulating cell-free mtDNA levels and its methylation. The methylation of mtDNA, which is an emerging and debated maker, strongly connects metabolic aspects (including the biochemistry of the one carbon cycle and the availability of vitamins involved in it), molecular regulation of gene expression, resistance to oxidative stress and activation of the immune system. Also, premature aging measured as an acceleration of the epigenetic clock will be analyzed, allowing to check for the impact of dietary exposure (in particular diet) on the epigenetic clock. Understanding the role of these emerging mediators of the inflammatory process is a key aspect to promote healthy ageing, since they can be used both as early biomarkers and new target for the prevention for age-associated complex diseases. In particular, to understand if diet and lifestyle can have an impact on that mediator of the inflammatory process represents an important step to understand and measure how lifestyle impacts human health.
A few data are available on this topic, especially in humans. Thus, this project represents an 
interesting opportunity to increase our knowledge on the role of mtDNA as an inflammatory signal and how to use this information to promote an healthy ageing healthy through a correct lifestyle.