Major breakthrough: Scientists reverse aging in elderly mice by rejuvenating their tissues

Age reversal has always piqued the interest of scientists. Researchers reached a breakthrough in reversing aging. While the process was successful in mice, it is far from ready for human use.

Age reversal, a success in middle-aged mice

Researchers in the US were successful in ‘refreshing’ old cells in healthy animals. The study uses gene therapy and takes human knowledge one step closer to ‘cure’ aging. It helps in making the animals more youthful. It is also useful for tackling age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s or cancer. The study published in Nature Aging is based on the previous work by Nobel Laureate Prof. Shinya Yamanaka. 

Prof. Yamanaka’s study revealed that a mixture of four ‘Yamanaka factors; can help in rewinding adult cells into youthful stem cells. The team in the US is led by Prof Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte and Heinrich Jasper. They are from the San Diego Altos Institute and Salk Institute. They found that older mice that received Yamanaka factors for several months resembled the younger animals in several ways. This was especially evident in the skin and kidneys. The age reversal study was highly effective when given for seven to 10 months. The animals used were between the ages of 12 and 15, equivalent to 35 to 50 in humans. However, when older animals, close to 80 years in human terms were treated with this therapy for one month, there was very little impact.

Is it possible to reverse aging in humans?

“Unfortunately, the study is nowhere close to human use. But, it can help in increasing interest in understanding the aging process, slowing or reversing it. A host of age-related diseases might benefit from this approach,” stated Jasper. He is also the director of Genetech, a US biotech company. If used for combating certain health issues, “it would constitute a new therapeutic approach with a significant impact on unmet medical needs at all stages of our life,” he added. Moreover, studies have revealed that using Yamanaka factors in humans can turn the cells into clumps of teratomas. Teratomas are a type of cancerous tissue.

However, new studies show that there is a possibility of partial reprogramming to avoid this danger. Researchers also believe that alternative drugs can be used for safe and effective partial reprogramming. “Now that we know that loss of cell identity and age reversal can be distinct in their trajectories, other groups are trying to find new factors that uncouple the loss of cell identity from the rejuvenation effects. The first applications will likely be in tissue that is easily accessible and can be modified outside the body, like blood stem cells,” stated Dr. Tamir Chandra. Dr. Chandra is an expert in the biology of aging at the University of Edinburgh. He was not involved in the study.

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