Rejuvenation Biotechnology Update for September 2014

In this study, the researchers used a genetic switch to induce FOXN1 expression in the thymic epithelial cells of mice, and compared them with mice that did not have FOXN1 induced. They observed that with FOXN1 induction, the thymus was regenerated from progenitor thymic epithelial cells that were still present in the aged thymus. They found that when FOXN1 was induced, the size of the thymus was larger, the expression of genes associated with a young, active thymus was increased, and the production of native T cells was boosted. Thymic involution is one of the main contributors to declining immune system function with age. In the SENS paradigm, it could be categorized in the class of damage known as "cell loss and tissue atrophy." SENS Research Foundation is currently collaborating with the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine on thymic regeneration research. The fact that induced expression of a single transcription factor could have such profound effects on thymic function and T-cell output in aged mice makes this study very interesting. Wouldn't it be nice if we could find a single transcription factor for each organ that, when upregulated, would restore the organ to a "youthful" state? However, there are some caveats to consider, as one always should with scientific research. One is that, although the researchers did measure T-cell output from the regenerated thymuses of aged mice, they did not test their overall immune function. The quantity of T-cells produ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Healthy Life Extension Community Source Type: blogs