Aging & Longevity
Chinese scientists have genetically engineered stem cells capable of rejuvenating the health, including the cognition, of aged macaque
Key Points:
“Super stem cells” improve the memory of monkeys while protecting against neurodegeneration.
The super stem cells prevent age-related bone loss while rejuvenating over 50% of the 61 tissues analyzed.
Treatment with stem cells reduces inflammation and senescent cells (cells that accumulate to promote aging).
While small in number, our adult stem cells play a crucial role in regenerating our lost or damaged tissues, rebuilding our body cell by cell. However, with age, our bodies become riddled with inflammation, hardly providing an environment capable of keeping our stem cells healthy. Eventually, our stem cells lose their regenerative capacity, contributing to degenerative aging.
Fox, O, Three
Hydra are a genus of immortal beings that live forever in freshwater environments like lakes and ponds. What scientists have called “nothing but an active stem cell community,” Hydra can escape death by infinitely regenerating. Their stem cells can continuously proliferate and renew by producing FoxO, a protein they share with humans.
(Image: aip.org) The Immortal Hydra.
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