http://www.mdpi.com/...4425/7/9/60/htm
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Abstract:
Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures located at the end of linear chromosomes and telomerase
is the enzyme responsible for telomere elongation. Telomerase activity is a key component of many cancer cells
responsible for rapid cell division but it has also been found by many laboratories around the world that
telomere/telomerase biology is dysfunctional in many other chronic conditions as well. These conditions are
characterized by chronic inflammation, a situation mostly overlooked by physicians regarding patient treatment.
Among others, these conditions include diabetes, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.
Since researchers have in many cases identified the association between telomerase and inflammation but there
are still many missing links regarding this correlation, the latest findings about this phenomenon will be
discussed by reviewing the literature. Our focus will be describing telomere/telomerase status in chronic
diseases under the prism of inflammation, reporting molecular findings where available and proposing possible
future approaches.
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