Reversing vision loss by turning back the aging clock – FierceBiotech
By daniellenierenberg
Aging has implications for a wide range of diseases. Researchers have been looking for ways to halt the aging process for millennia, but such methods remain elusive. Scientists at Harvard Medical School have now offered a glimmer of hope that the aging clock in the eye could be reversedat least in animals.
By reprogramming the expression of three genes, the Harvard team successfully triggered mature nerve cells in mice eyes to adopt a youthful state. The method reversed glaucoma in the mice and reversed age-related vision loss in elderly mice, according to results published in Nature.
Accelerate Biologics, Gene and Cell Therapy Product Development partnering with GenScript ProBio
GenScript ProBio is the bio-pharmaceutical CDMO segment of the worlds leading biotech company GenScript, proactively providing end-to-end service from drug discovery to commercialization with professional solutions and efficient processes to accelerate drug development for customers.
If further studies prove out the concept, they could pave the way for therapies that employ the same approach to repair damagein other organs and possibly treat age-related diseases in humans, the team said.
The researchers focused on the Yamanaka factors, which are four transcription factorsOct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. In a Nobel Prize-winning discovery, Shinya Yamanaka found that the factors can change the epigenomehow genes are turned on or offand can thereby transform mature cellsback to a stem cell-like state. It has been hypothesized that changes to the epigenome drive cell aging, especially a process called DNA methylation, by which methyl groups are tagged onto DNA.
Past researches have tried to use the four Yamanaka factorsto turn back the age clock in living animals, but doing so caused cells to adopt unwanted new identities and induced tumor growth.
RELATED:Restoring eyesight with genetically engineered stem cells
To test whether the approach works in living animals, the scientists used adeno-associated virus to deliver the three genes into the retina of mice with optic nerve injuries. The treatment led to a two-fold increase in the number of retinal ganglion cells, which are neurons responsible for receiving and transmitting visual information. Further analysis showed that the injury accelerated DNA methylation age, while the gene cocktail counteracted that effect.
Next the scientists tested whether the gene therapy could also work in disease settings. In a mouse model of induced glaucomawhich is a leading cause of age-related blindness in peoplethe treatment increased nerve cell electrical activity and the animals visual acuity.
But can the therapy also restore vision loss caused by natural aging? In elderly, 12-month-old mice, the gene therapy also restored ganglion cells electrical activity as well as visual acuity, the team reported.
By comparing cells from the treated micewith retinal ganglion cells from young, 5-month-old mice, the researchers found that mRNA levels of 464 genes were altered during aging, and the gene therapy reversed 90% of those changes. The scientists also noticed reversed patterns of DNA methylation, which suggests that DNA methylation is not just the marker but rather the driver behind aging.
What this tells us is the clock doesn't just represent timeit is time. If you wind the hands of the clock back, time also goes backward, the studys senior author, David Sinclair, explained in a statement.
The study marks the first time that glaucoma-induced vision loss was reversednot just slowedin living animals, according to the team.
RELATED:Reprogrammed skin cells restore sight in mouse models of retinal disease
Other researchers are also studying regenerative approaches to treating eye diseases. A research group at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona just showed that by modifying mesenchymal stem cells to express chemokine receptors Ccr5 and Cxcr6, retinal tissue could be saved from degeneration.
The idea of reversing age-related decline in humans by epigenetic reprogramming with a gene therapy is exciting, Sinclair said. The Harvard researchers intend to do more animal work that could allow them to start clinical trials in people with glaucoma in about two years.
Our study demonstrates that it's possible to safely reverse the age of complex tissues such as the retina and restore its youthful biological function, Sinclair said. If affirmed through further studies, these findings could be transformative for the care of age-related vision diseases like glaucoma and to the fields of biology and medical therapeutics for disease at large.
Read more from the original source:
Reversing vision loss by turning back the aging clock - FierceBiotech
- 001 Elaine Fuchs discusses research on skin and adult stem cells [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2011]
- 002 Skin Stem Cells: Their Biology [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2011]
- 003 Come Back Kid [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- 004 Emerge Labs New Anti Aging Swiss Apple Stem Cell Skin Care [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- 005 PhytoCell.mp4 [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- 006 Elaine Fuchs Part 2: Tapping the Potential of Adult Stem Cells, and Summary [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2011]
- 007 Elaine Fuchs Part 1: Introduction to Stem Cells [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2011]
- 008 Stem Cell Facial At Metamorphosis Day Spa Using Emerge Labs Skin Care [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2011]
- 009 A Major Breakthrough in Skin Care and Nutrition [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2011]
- 010 The Skin Gun stem cell research [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2011]
- 011 The Skin Gun [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2011]
- 012 E'shee HBA Global Expo 2011, NYC. Skin Care Anti-Aging Symposium [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2011]
- 013 World's 1st Nutricosmetic with Stem Cell Nutrients [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2011]
- 014 Stem cells acquired from human skin [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2011]
- 015 DermaStem Renewal Serum - Stem Cells for Your Skin from STEMTech - New Paradigm in Beauty! [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2011]
- 016 Stem Cells Made From Human Skin [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- 017 ReLuma-stemcells- skin rejuvenation [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- 018 Jeunesse Global Business Opportunity with Stem Cell Skin Care Developed by Dr Nathan Newman [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- 019 Dr Nathan Newman- Formulator of Stem Cell Skin Care Line LUMINESCE [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- 020 Luminesce Stem Cell Skin Care - Leaders in Jeunesse [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- 021 Stem Cell Therapy - BioLogic Anti-Aging Skin Cream [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- 022 Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2011]
- 023 Stem Cell Skin Care- What is the role of stem cells in Luminesce Featuring Dr Nathan Newman [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- 024 Genetic Skin Disease (EB): Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Patient Advocate [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- 025 Genetic Skin Disease (EB): Optimizing Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Protocols [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- 026 Genetic Skin Disease (EB): Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Introduction [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2011]
- 027 The Skin Gun (Stem Cell research to replace burnt off skin. Done in 3 days!) [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- 028 Best natural skin care serum using stem cell technology [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- 029 Stem Cells: Fulfilling the Promise - 2011 CIRM Grantee Meeting [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- 030 Jeunesse Global Opportunity- Stem Cell Skin Care [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- 031 Research on skin cancer: ERC funds studies on stem cells [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- 032 Stem Cell Therapy Skin Repair and Anti-Wrinkle Cream [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- 033 Skin engineering [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- 034 Stem Cell Face Treatment - What People Are Saying | Beverly Hills | Los Angeles [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- 035 How To Use Your Stem Cells For Facial Skin Rejuvenation [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 036 AMAZING - Stem Cell Skin Cream And Liquid Face Lift Revealed [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 037 Dr Nathan Newman MD Stem Cell Face lift on Channel 7 KABC.flv [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 038 Genetic Skin Disease (EB): Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Welcome [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 039 Dr.Thomas Barnes' PRP Hair Growth and Skin Rejuvenation [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 040 For Damaged Skin - Rejuvenate Your Own Stem Cells [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 041 real food real life - Stemulance stem cell face products [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 042 Dr Amiya Prasad discusses ACell for Hair Regrowth and Skin Rejuvenation with EYES IN Magazine [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 043 Stem Cell Face Lift - English (Part 5) [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 044 Cell Reprogramming Transformed [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 045 Care for Your Skin with Lifeline Skin Care [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 046 Dr Nathan Newman Repairs Laugh Lines With Stem Cell Face Lift [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 047 Ellis Martin Report with International Stem Cell Corp [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 048 Stem Cell Banking: The Perspective of an iPS Donor Family [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 049 Dr Nathan Newman Stem Cell Face Lift on Entertainment Tonight [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- 050 Elaine Fuchs Part 1: Introduction to Stem Cells English Subtitle [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- 051 Signals Stem Cell Skin Care Anti Aging Skin Care - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 052 Stem Cell Skin Care - Born Different.mp4 - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- 053 APPLE STEMCELL by SEMCELL - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- 054 Jeunesse Luminesce Stem Cell Skin care Before and After Pictures - Video [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- 055 Stem Cell Therapy -- Reduce Wrinkles,Promote Younger, Healthier Looking Skin - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- 056 Scientists Create Liver from Reprogrammed Human Skin Cells No Stem Cells Needed - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- 057 Vitiligo and Stem Cells: Narrowband UVB Phototherapy in Nonsegmental Vitiligo - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- 058 Dr Nathan Newman MD Stem Cell Face lift on Entertainment Tonight - NewHopeForAging.com - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- 059 Skin Healing And Anti-Aging - Rejuvenate Aging Skin Cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- 060 Stem Cell Face Lift - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 061 Stem Cell Therapy Face Cream - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 062 Growing skin in lab with stem cells Video Reuters - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 063 Stem Cells and Their Lineages in Skin - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 064 Stem Cells Rock - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 065 Stem Cell Therapy: Healing Force of the future - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- 066 Alex Cosmeceuticals - Phyto Stem Cell Technology - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- 067 Reprogramming skin cells into embryonic stem cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- 068 Ellis Martin Report with International Stem Cell Corp - YouTube2.flv - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2011]
- 069 Dr Lyras Plastic Surgery - Skin Needling 3 - Tv 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2011]
- 070 Donna Queen-Lifeline Skin Care at the CACS - Video [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- 071 Turning Science Into Action with Heather Livingston - Part 1 www.miraclecell.info - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- 072 US scientists unveil new cloning method for embryonic stem cells - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- 073 A Stem Cell Story - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2011]
- 074 Perspectives of a Stem Cell Donor Family - Video [Last Updated On: November 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- 075 Adult Stem Cell Success Stories - Amy Daniels - Video [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2011]
- 076 StemCellTV - From National Geographic - The Skin Gun - Healing Burns with Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- 077 Stem Cell Skin Care Jeunesse- Dr Newman FAQ - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2011]
- 078 Dr Nathan Newman and Jeunesse Stem Cell Skin Care - Video [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2011]
- 079 Apple Stem Cell-Skin aging solution - Video [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2011]
- 080 Luminesce rejuvenation serum cellular rejuvenation stem cell skin Products - Video [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2011]
