Researchers developed a novel way to rejuvenate aging skin cells and retain some of their specific youthful functions
With aging organismal fitness also declines over time and leads to dysfunction of tissues and development of disease. Now researchers at Babraham Institute, UK developed a new way to run back the aging clock in human skin cells, where these cells function similar to cells 30 years younger. This research shows an interesting development in the field as the scientists could retain some specific functions of these cells that are acquired through age.
There are many studies that explored cell rejuvenation by addressing deficiencies of dopamine in animal models of Parkinson’s and using implants to restore visions in rabbits. However, these procedures involved subjecting these cells to the Yamanaka factors for nearly 50 days. Now in this new research the scientists found that cutting this process short brought some of the significant benefits. In this new method, the scientists exposed the cells to the Yamanaka factors, which is a group of protein transcription factors that are known to play an important role in creating pluripotent stem cells, for only 13 days. The team observed that this removed the changes that are age-related and erased their identity for some time. When these rejuvenated cells were allowed to grow in natural conditions they retained skin cells’ characteristics, however with new life stance.
With this new technique the scientists were able to refresh the cells, which further went on performing a specific and important role in rejuvenation process. As reported by the scientists, the new reprogrammed cells had similar profile to the cells 30 years younger when the team checked their chemical markers. Moreover, these cells also generated more collagen that controlled the cells and they effectively replicated wound healing in lab tests. This new technique was found to have promising anti-aging effects on genes related to Alzheimer’s disease.
