It sounds like dystopian sci-fi, but researchers recently showed that an infusion of youthful blood can improve the health of older people. A new study finds that existing arthritis medications can effectively rejuvenate blood stem cells, mimicking the benefits of blood transfusions at a young age.
from silicon valley To mad maxthe idea of powerful old people taking blood from young people pops up all over pop culture, but it’s not purely fiction. found to improve cognitive performance, extend lifespan, and delay disease.
However, transfusions are temporary and only treat symptoms. So in a new study, researchers from Columbia University, Cambridge University, and the University of California, San Francisco, explored ways to revitalize the entire blood production system.
“The aging blood system is a vector for many proteins, cytokines, and cells, which has many negative consequences for the organism,” said Emmanuel Pasguet, corresponding author of the study. 70-year-olds who are 40 may live longer, if not longer, healthy lives.”
Blood cells are produced by stem cells located in the bone marrow. The team began by investigating the environment, or ‘niche’, in which these stem cells reside and how they change during mouse aging. They found that over time, the niche deteriorated, becoming overwhelmed with inflammation and impairing blood stem cells.
After careful investigation, scientists identified that a specific inflammatory signal called IL-1B is important for blood stem cell damage. And because this signal is already implicated in other inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, drugs that target it are already in widespread use.
Sure enough, researchers used an arthritis drug called Anakinra to block IL-1B in older mice and found that blood stem cells reverted to a younger, healthier state. This helped improve niche conditions, blood stem cell function, and blood cell regeneration. It was effective.
Of course, this research is still in its infancy, and the results from animal studies may not necessarily apply to humans. I am optimistic that it is possible.
“Treatment of older patients with anti-inflammatory drugs that block IL-1B function should help maintain healthier blood production,” said Passegué.
A study was published in a journal nature cell biology.
Source: Columbia University
