Hematopoietic Cell Aging Switch
Scientists have reversed the aging of blood cells
Copper news
Scientists from the University of Ulm (Germany) have reported that they have discovered a molecular switch in blood stem cells that may be the key to slowing down the aging process. This study (Florian et al., A canonical to non-canonical Wnt signaling switch in haematopoietic stem-cell aging), published on October 20 in the journal Nature, can help in the search for therapeutic approaches aimed at rejuvenating these critically important stem cells and slowing down the aging process.
The scientific article deals with the so-called Wnt signaling pathway, which regulates differentiation and interaction between cells, failures in which are associated with the development of various diseases, for example, malignant tumors.
Observing the mouse model and cell cultures of hematopoietic stem cells, the scientists found that in the "old" HSCs there is a switch from a normal model of intercellular signaling (canonical) to an atypical mode of activity (non-canonical). The researchers found that this transition is caused by a sharp increase in the expression of the Wnt5a protein in age-related hematopoietic stem cells.
When scientists intentionally increased the expression of Wnt5a in young hematopoietic stem cells, they began to show characteristic signs of aging, and vice versa, when the Wnt5a protein was removed from the HSC of mice, the cells acquired the properties of young cells.
Also, in experiments, scientists demonstrated that with a sharp increase in the expression level of the Wnt5a protein, another protein called Cdc42 was activated, which turned out to be key in the processes of slowing down the aging of stem cells. In 2012, researchers have already shown that pharmacological inhibition of Cdc42 reverses the aging process and affects old HSCs in such a way that functionally they begin to behave like young ones.
As the lead author of the study, Hartmut Geiger, notes, many more additional studies need to be conducted before this approach can be considered for the treatment of people. Nevertheless, scientists believe that the results of their work will lead to the development of therapeutic care for the elderly, aimed at improving their immunity and overall vitality.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru21.10.2013