Age-related loss of Y Chromosome on Metabolic Dysfunction

As men age, a portion of blood cells undergo mosaic loss of the Y chromosome (mLOY), which is the most common post-zygotic mutation in people. Men with mLOY have higher rates of mortality and age-related disease progression, but the effects of mLOY on metabolic dysfunction have not been investigated. In this project, we will test the hypothesis that mLOY affects metabolic dysfunction from diet-induced obesity by establishing and evaluating models of mLOY in human primary blood cells and transgenic mice. Understanding the role of mLOY in metabolic dysfunction could determine new hematopoietic-related mechanisms regulating metabolism and provide new insights into the relationship between aging and obesity.