Partially rejuvenated cells showed symptoms of acting more like youthful cells in trials that mimicked a skin injury. According to experts, the research could lead to the development of new medications.
According to a new study, researchers have reversed the aging of human skin cells by 30 years.
Scientists claim to have found a way for reprogramming human skin cells, thereby turning back the clock on the aging process without affecting the cells’ function.
In a controlled setting, US researchers were able to partially restore the function of aged cells.
Partially rejuvenated cells showed symptoms of acting more like youthful cells in trials that mimicked a skin injury.
According to experts, the research could lead to the development of new drugs.
“This work has very exciting implications,” says Professor Wolf Reik.
“Eventually, we may be able to identify genes that rejuvenate without reprogramming, and specifically target those to reduce the effects of ageing.
“This approach holds promise for valuable discoveries that could open up an amazing therapeutic horizon.”
Co-author Dr. Diljeet Gill adds: “Our results represent a big step forward in our understanding of cell reprogramming.
“We have proved that cells can be rejuvenated without losing their function and that rejuvenation looks to restore some function to old cells.
“The fact that we also saw a reverse of ageing indicators in genes associated with diseases is particularly promising for the future of this work.”
By pausing reprogramming partway through the process, the new strategy, which is based on the mechanism scientists use to create stem cells, addresses the challenge of totally erasing cell identity.
Researchers were able to make cells biologically younger while still retaining their specialized cell function as a result of this.
They claim that the technique’s prospective applications are contingent on the cells not just seeming younger but also operating like young cells.
The findings of the study were published in the journal eLife.
Image Credit: Getty
You were reading: Reprogramming human skin cells is another way to rewind the ageing clock
