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James F. Nelson, PhD
Professor, Department of Physiology
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University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA | PhD, Biology |
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University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA | MSc, Biology |
| University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA | B Arch |
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EtOH-tolerant ISS mice live 25% longer than EtOH intolerant ILS mice (p<0.001).
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Tel: 210-562-6132
Email: Nelsonj@uthscsa.edu
Research Interests
The only consistently verified method of life extension and retardation of aging processes is chronic food restriction, but the mechanism(s) behind this phenomenon are not fully understood. Our lab is currently investigating the role of glucocorticoids in the retardation of aging by food restriction, and the role of insulin in mammalian longevity. Using mice genetically deficient in glucocorticoids, we have found that the anti-inflammatory action of food restriction is glucocorticoid-dependent and that the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis must be intact to support the lifespan extending effect of calorie restriction. Mice deficient in protein-tyrosine-phosphatase 1B (knockout), which exhibit enhanced insulin sensitivity, as well as mice heterogeneous for the insulin receptor knockout, are being used to determine whether increased or decreased insulin sensitivity affects longevity and age-sensitive traits.
Another major focus of our group is to identify genes that modulate longevity and age-sensitive traits. We have discovered that mice artificially selected for alcohol tolerance exhibit a marked increase in longevity, associated with increased resistance to gluco-oxidative stress and reduced visceral adiposity, compared to mice selected for alcohol intolerance. Recombinant inbred lines derived from these two strains are being used to identify genetic loci that specify these traits, and to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of longevity.
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