Bursts of Reprogramming: A Path to Extend Lifespan?

Abstract

In a thought-provoking study, Ocampo et al. show that the cyclic expression of stem cell reprogramming factors in vivo increases the lifespan of a mouse model of premature aging and provides health benefits to chronologically old, normal mice.

Figure 1.. Comparison between Transient Reprogramming and Other Interventions for Tissue Rejuvenation and Lifespan

Comparison between interventions that have been shown to improve health span and lifespan in mice starting late in life, and their proposed mode of action. The intervention described in Ocampo et al. (2016), transient reprogramming, improves the regenerative capacity of pancreas and muscle following injury and increases lifespan in a premature aging mouse model, potentially via induced epigenetic changes. Only the organs/tissues that exhibit a rejuvenation/reverted phenotype in wild-type (WT) mice are indicated. “Blood” includes changes in immune system. NT, not tested. *, shown to also improve in young mice.