
Aged rat brain stem cells grown on a soft surface (right) show more healthy, vigorous growth than similar aged brain stem cells grown on a stiff surface (left). The red marker shows brain stem cells, and the green marker indicates cell proliferation. Credit: Mikey Segel
New research reveals how increasing brain stiffness as we age causes brain stem cell dysfunction, and demonstrates new ways to reverse older stem cells to a younger, healthier state.
…when the old brain cells were grown on the soft material, they began to function like young cells – in other words, they were rejuvenated
Kevin Chalut
The results, published today in Nature, have far-reaching implications for how we understand the ageing process, and how we might develop much-needed treatments for age-related brain diseases.
As our bodies age, our muscles and joints can become stiff, making everyday movements more difficult. This study shows the same is true in our brains, and that age-related brain stiffening has a significant impact on the function of brain stem cells.
A multi-disciplinary research team, based at the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge, studied young and old rat brains to understand the impact of age-related brain stiffening on the function of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). These cells are a type of brain stem cell important for maintaining normal brain function, and for the regeneration of myelin – the fatty sheath that surrounds our nerves, which is damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS). The effects of age on these cells contributes to MS, but their function also declines with age in healthy people.
To determine whether the loss of function in aged OPCs was reversible, the researchers transplanted older OPCs from aged rats into the soft, spongy brains of younger animals. Remarkably, the older brain cells were rejuvenated, and began to behave like the younger, more vigorous cells.
To study this further, the researchers developed new materials in the lab with varying degrees of stiffness, and used these to grow and study the rat brain stem cells in a controlled environment. The materials were engineered to have a similar softness to either young or old brains.
To fully understand how brain softness and stiffness influences cell behavior, the researchers investigated Piezo1 – a protein found on the cell surface, which informs the cell whether the surrounding environment is soft or stiff.
Dr Kevin Chalut, who co-led the research, said: “We were fascinated to see that when we grew young, functioning rat brain stem cells on the stiff material, the cells became dysfunctional and lost their ability to regenerate, and in fact began to function like aged cells. What was especially interesting, however, was that when the old brain cells were grown on the soft material, they began to function like young cells – in other words, they were rejuvenated.”
“When we removed Piezo1 from the surface of aged brain stem cells, we were able to trick the cells into perceiving a soft surrounding environment, even when they were growing on the stiff material,” explained Professor Robin Franklin, who co-led the research with Dr Chalut. “What’s more, we were able to delete Piezo1 in the OPCs within the aged rat brains, which lead to the cells becoming rejuvenated and once again able to assume their normal regenerative function.”
Learn more: Cambridge scientists reverse ageing process in rat brain stem cells
The Latest on: Rejuvenated stem cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”rejuvenated stem cells” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Rejuvenated stem cells
- Can a Vacation Make You Live Longer? These Wellness Resorts Think soon September 30, 2023 at 12:27 pm
A variety of medical-grade treatments are offered including stem cell therapy, regenerative ozone therapy ... to ensure that guests leave the destination not only feeling more rejuvenated than when ...
- Stem cell treatment halts MS for some patientson September 30, 2023 at 6:50 am
A new study is strengthening the evidence that stem cell transplants can be highly effective for some people with multiple sclerosis—sending the disease into remission for years, and sometimes ...
- Best NMN Supplements In 2023 – Know What Makes MNM Supplements Magical!on September 29, 2023 at 9:27 pm
NMN supplements are gaining popularity among people interested in anti-aging supplements due to their potential benefits. With the decline of NAD+ levels being linked to various age-related diseases, ...
- Fertility Issues Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantationon September 29, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Oocytogenesis is a limited process, which is completed before or shortly after birth. The number of primary oocytes (primordial follicle) peaks at the 5 months of gestational life with several ...
- Stem Cells Newson September 28, 2023 at 5:00 pm
To advance understanding, five independent research groups have ... Newly Discovered Bone Stem Cell Causes Premature Skull Fusion Sep. 20, 2023 — Craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of the ...
- Stem-cell research articles from across Nature Portfolioon September 27, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Stem-cell research is the area of research that studies the properties of stem cells and their potential use in medicine. As stem cells are the source of all tissues, understanding their ...
- Pluripotent stem cells articles from across Nature Portfolioon September 27, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Pluripotent stem cells are cells that have the capacity to self-renew by dividing and to develop into the three primary germ cell layers of the early embryo and therefore into all cells of the ...
- Stem cell transplants may reverse disability for some MS patientson September 27, 2023 at 11:19 am
A new study is strengthening the evidence that stem cell transplants can be highly effective for some people with multiple sclerosis -- sending the disease into remission for years, and sometimes ...
- Ageing bodies need to get rid of decrepit cellson September 25, 2023 at 6:48 am
The body normally gets rid of these senescent cells either by triggering a genetic self-destruct sequence called apoptosis or by sending the immune system in to dismantle them. Both forms of ...
- ‘We’ll be living and working to 120 – and it will start within a decade’ says doctor to the starson September 23, 2023 at 9:00 am
Dr. Ernst von Schwarz believes that rapid advances in stem cells mean living and even working far beyond current expectations is entirely within humanity’s grasp and that 150 will be normal by ...
via Bing News