Aging in Cellular Membranes: Structural and Functional Consequences and Potential Treatments for Age-Related Diseases

Lipid membranes rose during evolution not as mere cellular boundaries but as complex organelles with specialized functions. They behave as capacitors that store energy through electrical gradients, work as biophysical conduits for direct and regulated traffic, and ultimately regulate every biological event that requires the interaction of the cell with its environment. All these processes require a fine tune synchronization between the membrane and cellular functions that directly or indirectly interact with it and with external signals. Membranes can behave as a relay center that integrates the complex fractal-like internal cellular clocks and the rhythms of other cells with which they interact. In this regard, subtle structural and functional changes in cellular membranes due to aging can impair how they orchestrate the above processes. This leads to changes in an array of phenomena that includes cellular substances exchange, signaling, transport, exocytosis, and mechanic transduction. In this respect, cell membranes are crucial in conveying external stimuli to the DNA and transmitting gene expression and responses to the external environment. Thus, the cell membrane is critical both in health and disease. Rectifying cell membrane abnormalities may aid in the prevention and management of many diseases.

The impact of aging on cellular physiology and molecular mechanisms is a target for pharmacology and an array of strategies that pursue the improvement of the patient’s quality of life. One of the molecular targets on aging effects that have not received enough attention is the cellular membrane structural and functional integrity and treatment alternatives that can support the maintenance of these parameters. Our goal for this Research Topic is to address recent advances in the study of the field of cellular membranes during aging. Many biological and physiological shifts observed during aging are ultimately linked to a membrane-related process. Also, aging implies the variable of time. In addition, we are also interested in covering studies focusing on changes in biological rhythms that might affect membrane-associated biological processes like receptors and signal synchronization, the role of membrane lipids composition, and its dynamics in aging and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia, among others. In addition, therapeutic alternatives have been proposed to preserve cellular membrane integrity during aging, like lipid replacement therapies and the use of natural compounds such as carotenoids that protect plasma membranes from UV radiation and oxidative stress, two critical factors associated with aging.

We welcome submissions in relation to aging in cellular membranes, its consequences for membrane-associated biological processes, and treatment alternatives to maintain and protect cellular membranes.

•Aging effects on cellular membranes structure and biophysics

•Cell membrane fluidity in the brain and neurodegenerative disorders

•Aging impact on signal transduction, endo/exocytosis, and cellular communication

•Exosome biology alterations during aging

•Circadian biology alterations during aging and its impact on the membrane-associated process

•Does membrane structure and function change with aging or do cell membrane alterations determine aging?

•Interaction between the cell membrane and the genome

•Vascular basement membrane and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier in aging

•Therapeutic alternatives that promote cellular membrane protection from aging and membrane aging hazards (i.e. UV radiation)

•Therapeutic targeting of cell membrane lipids in age-related pathologies.

Keywords: Cellular Membranes, Aging, circadian rhythms, membrane-associated degenerative disorders, lipid membrane therapies.

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.