When will my mouse die? Life span prediction based on immune function, redox and behavioural parameters in female mice at the adult age

Abstract

The identification of predictive markers of life span would help to unravel the underlying mechanisms influencing ageing and longevity. For this aim, 30 variables including immune functions, inflammatory-oxidative stress state and behavioural characteristics were investigated in ICR-CD1 female mice at the adult age (N = 38). Mice were monitored individually until they died and individual life spans were registered. Multiple linear regression was carried out to construct an Immunity model (adjusted R² = 75.8%) comprising Macrophage chemotaxis and phagocytosis and Lymphoproliferation capacity, a Redox model (adjusted R² = 84.4%) involving Reduced Glutathione and Malondialdehyde concentrations and Glutathione Peroxidase activity and a Behavioural model (adjusted R² = 79.8%) comprising Internal Locomotion and Time spent in open arms indices. In addition, a Combined model (adjusted R² = 92.4%) and an Immunity-Redox model (adjusted R² = 88.7%) were also constructed by combining the above-mentioned selected variables. The models were also cross-validated using two different sets of female mice (N = 30; N = 40). Correlation between predicted and observed life span was 0.849 (P < 0.000) for the Immunity model, 0.691 (P < 0.000) for the Redox, 0.662 (P < 0.000) for the Behavioural and 0.840 (P < 0.000) for the Immunity-Redox model. Thus, these results provide a new perspective on the use of immune function, redox and behavioural markers as prognostic tools in ageing research.

Keywords: Anxiety-like behaviour; Immune function; Life span prediction; Multiple linear regression; Oxidative stress.