Myelin proteome differences in old and young mice

Aging of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is associated with structural and functional changes that lead to a reduction in regenerative capacity and the development of age-related peripheral neuropathy. Myelin is a central component in maintaining physiological peripheral nerve function, and differences in myelin maintenance, degradation, formation and clearance have been suggested to contribute to age-related PNS changes. In addition, recent proteomic studies have elucidated the complex composition of the total myelin proteome in health and its changes in neuropathy models. However, changes in the myelin proteome of peripheral nerves during ageing have not been investigated. Hence, the aim of this proteomics experiment was to define proteome changes in isolated myelin fractions during ageing, by investigating myelin proteome profiles from young (nerves from 2-3 month old mice) and old (nerves from 18 months old mice) nerves.