Before Ponce de Leon even dared dream of discovering the Fountain of Youth, scientists had already been looking for ways to reverse human aging processes – and may have come close in doing so.
Harvard Medical School researchers have successfully rejuvenated worn out cells in old mice to extend their lives – an impressive feat that could possibly be replicated on humans as well. But is such regeneration feasible in humans?
Stem Cells
Stem cells are immature cells in our bodies that can differentiate into various cell types over time. Found throughout all living organisms, stem cells are particularly prevalent during early development and adult tissues like bone marrow. Stem cells produce differentiated (specialized ) cells to repair damaged or defective ones as well as blood, skin and even nerve cells; plus they’re capable of self-regenerating which aids healing processes of aging tissue.
Scientists study stem cells to gain more insight into how our bodies operate and why diseases arise. Watching stem cells develop into more specialized cells in a laboratory environment can provide researchers with key clues for treating different diseases like cancer or helping understand how different illnesses manifest themselves in our lives.
Recent research has demonstrated the power of stem cells to slow or even reverse aging in mice. For one study, researchers injected human embryonic stem cells into aged mice in order to enhance their health and lifespan; as a result, not only did the stem cells prolong life spans, but they also improved organ functionality and tissues function in aged mice. Scientists are working hard on applying this research findings in humans in order to extend healthy lifespans and decrease incidence of diseases associated with aging.
One way of fighting aging is using stem cell therapies to promote tissue regeneration and decrease inflammation. Stem cells can rejuvenate aging cells while also decreasing chronic disease risks by increasing cell turnover rates and lowering oxidative stress levels.
Stem cells offer more than just regeneration; they can also modulate the immune system and produce growth factors to enhance cell function, increase collagen production and diminish fine lines and wrinkles.
Scientists are exploring mesenchymal stem cells as potential agents of regenerative medicine to treat physical frailty and facial aging. When administered via needle infusion into the abdomen, these cells have been proven to lower inflammatory markers associated with aging while encouraging collagen and tissue formation – as well as improving joint health by balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory signals.
Epigenetics
Epigenetics holds the key to defying aging. It is a relatively new field of study that explores how chemicals in cells control gene activity without altering DNA code; epigenetic “markers” act like molecular bookmarks, alerting cells when certain genes should be active or inactive.
Researchers can now detect these markers in your DNA and alter them, which may help reverse aging effects and extend lifespans. “We can use a system reboot, if you will, to restore those bookmarks and bring gene expression back into balance,” according to physician-scientist Ross Levine at MSK’s Center for Epigenetics Research. These epigenetic changes occur outside of the three billion DNA base pairs that make up your genome, called epigenetic “software glitches.” Like any software bug, they can be rectified by simply replacing one bad component with another good one.
No one yet knows the precise cause of these epigenetic changes – whether driven by environmental influences or simply part of normal aging — yet researchers have discovered that reversing some of them can mitigate disease, reduce inflammation, slow cell degradation and extend lifespan.
Epigenetic changes affect all cells in our bodies and are affected by lifestyle, diet, exercise, stress and toxic exposures. Common epigenetic marks like DNA methylation and histone modification influence chromatin structure stability as well as mRNA translation; ultimately affecting gene expression. With age comes increased instability that compromises cell functions.
Costa and her team are taking steps to halt these epigenetic changes by employing lifestyle interventions, pharmaceutical treatments and gene therapy in an attempt to slow biological aging, extend healthspan and revitalize immune systems.
Lifestyle interventions like eating healthily, exercising regularly and managing stress can significantly influence DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications, ultimately impacting gene expression. Pharmacological interventions like HDAC inhibitors or senolytics may target specific epigenetic changes while gene therapy with iPSCs or CRISPR can reset these marks and rejuvenate cells.
CRISPR Technology
CRISPR technology is an advanced genome editing technique capable of correcting damaged genes and altering their functions, helping aging cells regenerative abilities to return, thus prolonging their lives and potentially treating many diseases that involve breakdown in cell natural processes.
Scientists had struggled for some time to make CRISPR work successfully, with one major challenge being getting its molecules into cells so they can modify DNA directly. Unfortunately, humans are built to resist foreign DNA that enters, so this was initially difficult to accomplish. But recently researchers have developed ways around this barrier by decreasing the size of CRISPR molecules so they can enter more easily into cells and cut DNA more easily – activating or silencing genes according to need.
Since 2012 when Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier published their groundbreaking paper on CRISPR technology, research on it has exponentially grown. Scientists are using it both for studying cell development as well as therapeutic use to reengineer tumor cells from cancer patients who could benefit.
CRISPR stands out as a cost-effective and simple method for editing genomes. While previous tools such as ZFNs and TALENs required engineers to engineer new proteins to recognize specific target DNA strands, CRISPR allows scientists to simply modify its guide RNA for easier and quicker experimentation of different treatments.
One of the most exciting applications for CRISPR technology is rejuvenating stem cells, which are essential in regenerative medicine and aging research. By using CRISPR to reactivate their regenerative processes in old mice, researchers have managed to reverse some of the symptoms associated with aging.
Before we can use CRISPR to rejuvenate stem cells in humans, however, much remains to be done. First we must find an efficient and safe means of infusing these vital cells into our bodies in order to treat diseases related to damaged cells; such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, neurodegeneration and more.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy employs your body’s immune system to combat cancer and help protect you. Medical researchers are continually studying ways to enhance this form of therapy so it can treat more types of cancer and save more lives.
Your body has an inbuilt defense system known as its natural defense system to identify and fight cancerous cells as well as germs that may lead to infections. Your immune system consists of organs, tissues and glands working together as an intricate web, creating, educating and storing key elements including T lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight invaders) and natural killer cells (NK cells).
With immunotherapy, doctors can enhance your body’s ability to identify and eradicate cancerous cells. Furthermore, immunotherapy may also help your immune system recognize and remember any cells attacked previously so they may be quickly recognized and destroyed in future attacks.
Immunotherapy may be combined with other cancer treatments for maximum effectiveness, and is currently used to treat lung, colon, breast, esophageal and kidney cancers as well as prevent recurrence of cervical, melanoma bladder and pancreatic cancers. It has even been studied as a preventive vaccine against them all!
immunotherapy can be an effective cancer treatment, yet can occasionally cause side effects known as immune-related adverse events (IREAs). IREAs may affect all or parts of your body; some, like flu-like symptoms, should resolve within days after starting immunotherapy; it is important that any over-the-counter medicines, supplements or herbal therapies you’re taking prior to beginning immunotherapy as certain ingredients could interfere with how well it works or even worsen it.
Studies indicate that CAR T cell therapy may benefit patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although its optimal duration remains unknown, it’s essential that you speak to your physician regarding how long immunotherapy should continue if participating in a clinical trial involving this therapy type.
