Therapeutic Telomerase Restoration Reverses Aging Signs
Restoring youthful telomerase levels reduces aging signs & symptoms in preclinical models, potentially treating age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease & cancer.
Researchers identified a new small molecule that can slow down ageing.
Image credit: Matthias Zomer
- Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have demonstrated that therapeutically restoring ‘youthful’ levels of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) can significantly reduce signs and symptoms of aging in preclinical models.
- The study identified a small molecule compound that restores physiological levels of TERT, which normally is repressed with the onset of aging.
- Maintenance of TERT levels reduced cellular senescence and tissue inflammation, spurred new neuron formation with improved memory, and enhanced neuromuscular function, increasing strength and coordination.
- TERT functions not only to extend telomeres but also as a transcription factor affecting expression of genes directing neurogenesis, learning and memory, cellular senescence, and inflammation.
- Epigenetic repression of TERT plays a major role in the cellular decline seen at the onset of aging by regulating genes involved in learning, memory, muscle performance, and inflammation.
- Pharmacologically restoring youthful TERT levels reprogrammed expression of those genes, resulting in improved cognition and muscle performance while eliminating hallmarks linked to many age-related diseases.