Eternal Youth: A Comprehensive Exploration of Gene, Cellular, and Pharmacological Anti-Aging Strategies

Abstract

The improvement of human living conditions has led to an increase in average life expectancy, creating a new social and medical problem-aging, which diminishes the overall quality of human life. The aging process of the body begins with the activation of effector signaling pathways of aging in cells, resulting in the loss of their normal functions and deleterious effects on the microenvironment. This, in turn, leads to chronic inflammation and similar transformations in neighboring cells. The cumulative retention of these senescent cells over a prolonged period results in the deterioration of tissues and organs, ultimately leading to a reduced quality of life and an elevated risk of mortality. Among the most promising methods for addressing aging and age-related illnesses are pharmacological, genetic, and cellular therapies. Elevating the activity of aging-suppressing genes, employing specific groups of native and genetically modified cells, and utilizing senolytic medications may offer the potential to delay aging and age-related ailments over the long term. This review explores strategies and advancements in the field of anti-aging therapies currently under investigation, with a particular emphasis on gene therapy involving adeno-associated vectors and cell-based therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: AAV; aging; anti-aging therapy; cell therapy; gene therapy; senescent cells; senolytic.

Figure 1

General scheme of the cell aging pathway. Exposure to stressors triggers activation of p16 and p53–p21 signaling pathways, which leads to complete cell aging, which can be completed by cell elimination from the tissue with the help of the immune system, or long-term preservation of a pathologically functioning cell and its pathological influence on the microenvironment in the tissue.