
Drug treatment eliminates senescent cells from tissues of old mice. The blue staining shows senescent cells in lung and liver tissue. The amount of the staining is significantly reduced following the drug treatment
Helping the immune system clear away old cells in aging mice helped restore youthful characteristics
If only we could keep our bodies young, healthy and energetic, even as we attain the wisdom of our years. New research at the Weizmann Institute of Science suggests this dream could be at least partly obtainable in the future. The results of this research, led by Prof. Valery Krizhanovsky and Dr. Yossi Ovadya in the Molecular Cell Biology Department, were recently published in Nature Communications.
The research began with an investigation into the way that the immune system is involved in a crucial activity: clearing away old, senescent cells that spell trouble for the body when they hang around. Senescent cells – not completely dead but suffering loss of function or irreparable damage – have been implicated in diseases of aging by promoting inflammation. The researchers used mice in which a crucial gene for this immune activity was missing. At two years (elderly, for mice), the bodies of these mice had a greater accumulation of senescent cells compared with the mice in which the gene for removing these cells was intact. The mice missing the gene suffered from chronic inflammation, and various functions in their bodies appeared to be diminished. They also looked older – and died earlier – than their normal counterparts.
The mice treated with the drug were more active and their median lifespan rose
Next, the researchers gave the mice a drug that inhibits the function of certain proteins that help the aging cells survive in their senescent state, to see if this would contribute to the removal of these cells from the body. The drugs were administered to mice whose aging was a result of the malfunctions the group had uncovered in the immune system as well as those suffering premature aging from a different genetic error. The treated mice responded exceptionally well to the drug: Their blood tests and activity tests showed improvement, and their tissues appeared to be much closer to those of young mice. The scientists counted senescent cells, finding many fewer of them remaining in the treated mice’s bodies; and when they looked for signs of inflammation, they found that this, too, was significantly lower. The mice treated with the drug were more active and their median lifespan rose.
The scientists intend to continue exploring ways to prompt the human body to remove its old senescent cells, particularly to find means of activating the immune system to do this job. That is, if future experimentation proves their theories correct, they could end up creating truly “anti-aging” therapies.
Learn more: The Immune System’s Fountain of Youth
The Latest on: Fountain of youth
[google_news title=”” keyword=”fountain of youth” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Fountain of youth
- How Hollywood is unlocking the fountain of youth with de-aging technologyon February 8, 2023 at 9:40 am
But what if an adult character needs to appear as they did in their youth? That's where de-aging technology comes into play. Hollywood A-lister Harrison Ford has undergone a digital makeover for his ...
- The Fountain of Youth – Dr Danielle Brenzaon February 7, 2023 at 8:26 am
The fascinating achievements of the Best Physician for Women and Top Doctor in South Jersey, consecutively since ...
- Youth are fountain of knowledge and valuable human resource — Director of Genderon February 6, 2023 at 10:06 am
Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director, Department of Gender, says the youth are fountain of knowledge and valuable ...
- Jennifer Lopez wears 'fountain of youth' serum to 2023 Grammys — and it's on saleon February 6, 2023 at 8:26 am
Jennifer Lopez "slayed" the 2023 Grammy Awards — and she has her go-to "fountain of youth" serum to thank. The 53-year-old star made a surprise appearance during Sunday night's award show to present ...
- Bryan Johnson’s Hunt For The Fountain Of Youthon February 6, 2023 at 4:14 am
With the heart of a 37-year-old and the lung capacity of an 18-year-old, Bryan Johnson may have found the fountain of youth.
- The elusive fountain of youth and why so many people are obsessed with ageon February 5, 2023 at 6:49 am
Cleopatra is known to have bathed in the milk of asses, a 16th century Hungarian countess covered herself in virgin blood, all for the sake of eternal youth. From anti-aging creams, to gene editing ...
- Overall Champion CRG bests PH teams, shares love for speed ‘fountain of youth’on February 3, 2023 at 10:41 pm
When its 33-year-old Miata won early on in the endurance race challenge, the team thought that maybe “it was simply luck.”When Cebu Racing Group (CRG) was awarded Overall ...
- Everyone thinks I have two sisters but one’s my mom – people ask if she’s ‘drinking from the fountain of youth’on February 1, 2023 at 3:53 pm
ALTHOUGH aging is inevitable, some people seem to circumvent the process and manage to look youthful their whole life. A woman named Mischa said her mom has done just that – and the internet is ...
- Paul Rudd says his fountain of youth is adequate sleepon February 1, 2023 at 5:02 am
Paul Rudd has opened up about the secrets responsible for his forever youthful looks, and they begin with plenty of sleep ...
- Fountain of cardiovascular youth? One gene may help restore heart healthon January 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Dr. Yu-Ming Ni, a cardiologist specializing in noninvasive cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, explained that “this ...
via Bing News