PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 3.J - Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Neuronal rejuvenation in human derived induced neurons

Előadó neve

Vivien, Pillár

Neptune code

F1XZ4A

Előadó munkahelye

Semmelweis University

Előadó telefonszáma

06203975256

Előadó e-mail címe

pillar.vivien.szandra@semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

Neuronal rejuvenation in human derived induced neurons

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Vivien Pillár^1,2, Ágnes Varga¹, Anna Abbas¹, Roland Zsoldos¹, Kinga Vörös¹, Balázs Kis¹, Anikó Göblos³, Lajos Kemény³, Csaba Kerepesi^2,4, István Mándity^5,6, Karolina Pircs^1,2,7

1: HCEMM-SU Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Institute of Clinical Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University
2: HUN-REN-SZTAKI-SU Rejuvenation Research Group
3: HCEMM-Szeged University
4: HUN-REN-SZTAKI BioAgeAI Research Group
5: Semmelweis University, Department of Organic Chemistry
6: HUN-REN Artificial Transporters Research Group
7: Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Lund University

Bemutatás módja

Poszter

Szekció

Poster Session 3.J - Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Language of the presentation

English

Preferred session

Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease represent a growing global health burden and are expected to become leading causes of death in developed countries by 2050. As these conditions remain incurable, understanding the molecular mechanisms of neuronal aging, particularly autophagy and synaptic function is essential.
Aims: The aim of this project is to investigate molecular changes associated with neuronal aging in human induced neurons (iNs).
Method: To achieve this, we apply different experimental strategies, including co-culturing neurons derived from young and aged donors to assess whether a youthful cellular environment can promote rejuvenation of aged neurons. In addition, we evaluate the effects of pharmacological compounds targeting ion channel activity and related pathways, as age-associated alterations in ion channel function are thought to contribute to neuronal dysfunction, making them promising candidates for therapeutic intervention. Human fibroblasts from young and aged donors are directly reprogrammed into iNs, preserving their genetic and epigenetic aging characteristics. Cells are labeled using lentiviral constructs expressing mCherry or TagBFP. Mixed cultures are generated to study rejuvenation effects. We use DNA methylation array to determine biological age, while high-content screening microscopy assess neuronal morphology. Pharmacological treatments are applied to examine their impact on aging-related phenotypes.
Results: We expect that mixed cultures may show rejuvenation of aged neurons, reflected in molecular age markers and improved functional properties. These effects will be further characterized by assessing key cellular markers, including p62 and LC3 as indicators of autophagy, mitochondrial level, and LAMP1 as a marker of lysosomal function. Drug treatments may further modulate these processes.
Conclusion: This study provides a human-relevant platform to investigate neuronal aging and supports the identification of therapeutic targets, including ion channel–related mechanisms, contributing to the development of novel treatment strategies.
Funding: This work is supported by the 2025-2.1.1-EKÖP-2025-00014 University Research Scholarship Programme of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National of Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Karolina Pircs

Publication of my abstract

I give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies before complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

poszter

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem rendelkezett róla

Előadó

8815

Start

14:18

End

14:21