【Animal experiment】-GDF11 protein can reverse signs of aging in mice

  A few days ago, researchers from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) published two consecutive papers in the journal Science. This confirms the discovery of proteins that make the hearts of abnormally functioning older mice look like the hearts of young, healthy mice. Similarly, it can improve brain and skeletal muscle function in aging mice. Professor Amy Wagers and Professor Leeubin of Harvard University’s School of Stem Cell Research are the senior authors of these two papers. They reported that the injection of a protein called GDF11 (GDF11 is present in mice and humans) can improve the exercise capacity of 70-year-old mice and improve the function of the olfactory area of the brain of the old mice. I will. -They can recognize smells like mice. They said that if no accidents happen, they hope to promote GDF11 to human clinical trials within 3 to 5 years.

  These two studies investigated the effects of GDF11 in two ways. In the first study, the researchers used a so-called coupled biological system to surgically connect two mice and circulate the blood of young mice to older mice. The second study was to inject GDF11 into old mice. In previous studies, Wagers and Richard Lee of Brigham and Richardichard, one of the authors of these two papers, confirmed that GDF11 is sufficient to reverse certain characteristics of cardiac aging. Doug Melton, deputy director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, said: "This is the most exciting research discovery. It is the most primitive experiment in stem cell science. It brings us hope for a healthier future. More powerful , Think faster. These two rare and exciting things. The research paper pointed out the possible answers in practice. In some animals, GDF11 has a remarkable ability to restore aging muscle and brain function.". Compared with older mice, the natural concentration of GDF11 in young mice is much higher. So far, the function of each organ system has been studied.

  14 years ago, when he was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, he first conducted research using the coupled life system of the mouse. She and her colleagues observed that the blood of young mice circulates in young mice, which may affect the injury after injury. Muscle repair produces several regenerative effects. In 2013, she and Richard Lee (Richard Lee) reported in another paper that when exposed to the blood of young mice, the enlargement and weakening of the hearts of old mice will return to their young size. Improved performance. Then, we worked with a Colorado company to identify GDF11 in the blood as the obvious cause of this regenerative effect. It is hoped that GDF11 has the potential to treat diastolic heart failure, which is an irreversible fatal disease in the elderly.

  Wagers: "From previous research, GDF11 seems to be heart-specific. However, new research shows that GDF11 is activated in a variety of organs and cell types." Restored and improved the performance of running and grip tests . "It is well known that certain conditions in the brains of old mice are very poor, reducing the number of neurogenesis and reducing cognitive ability."

  In a new study, researchers found that neural stem cells increased. We observe an increase in the development of blood vessels in the brain. .. The results of 3D brain reconstruction and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mice show that there are many new blood vessels and blood flow, usually associated with young, healthy brain tissue. Rubin said: "Young mice have a strong sense of smell. When I tested young mice, I avoided the mint smell, while older mice did not.

  Ubin said: "GDF11 improves blood vessels and blood flow, and is believed to be related to increased neurogenesis. GDF11 should at least in principle have a broader effect on other areas of the brain. A method is needed to use proteins that can reverse specific aging degradation. The molecule GDF11 or GDF11 itself may be able to reverse age-related damage. The drug developed by Wagers has two research groups. Before discussing with venture capital groups and promoting GDF11 to human experiments, other necessary preclinical studies were conducted. "There is no doubt that a certain combination of these and other studies will translate into clinical trials and treatments. Of course, this is just a bet. "