Could reprogramming our genes help us stay young? Scientists are making strides in longevity research, and human trials may be on the horizon, the Washington Post reports.
For those interested in slowing or even reversing the aging process, a groundbreaking experiment conducted in 2016 at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego marked a turning point. The study focused on mice genetically engineered to age rapidly due to a condition similar to progeria, a rare disorder that accelerates aging. Normally, these mice would have lived only about seven months, but researchers aimed to alter their fate.
Using a virus to introduce four specific genes—known as Yamanaka factors—the scientists essentially reprogrammed the rodents’ cells to a more youthful state. They were even able to control the genes remotely, adjusting their effects for safety. The results were remarkable: the treated mice lived 30% longer, an outcome that reignited interest in cellular reprogramming and its potential for extending human lifespans.
Since then, cellular reprogramming has emerged as a leading approach in longevity research. The discovery of Yamanaka factors in 2006, which earned scientist Shinya Yamanaka the Nobel Prize, revealed that just four genes could turn old cells back into a state resembling their youthful origins. This process involves modifying the epigenome—the molecular layer that dictates a cell’s function—by stripping away methyl groups that accumulate with age.
Many researchers believe these epigenetic changes do not just record aging but actively drive it. If this is true, reprogramming the epigenome might be a way to slow or reverse aging itself.
While cellular reprogramming has shown promise in lab settings, it comes with significant risks. In some cases, reprogrammed cells have lost their identity and become teratomas—abnormal growths that can contain a mix of different tissues, such as hair, teeth, or bone. These tumors, while usually benign, highlight a major challenge: ensuring that cells rejuvenate without becoming cancerous.
Early experiments on mice confirmed these dangers. When Spanish researchers attempted full reprogramming in healthy mice, many developed tumors and died within weeks. This underscores the need for precise control over the reprogramming process to avoid unintended consequences.
Recognizing the risks, researchers have shifted toward partial reprogramming. Instead of completely resetting a cell to its stem-cell state, scientists aim to rejuvenate it just enough to restore function while maintaining its identity.
A notable study at Harvard University tested this method on mice with optic nerve damage. By introducing only three of the four Yamanaka factors and carefully regulating their activity, researchers were able to restore vision in the mice without causing tumors. Encouraged by these results, the biotech company Life Biosciences now plans to seek FDA approval for the first human trials using a similar technique to treat optic nerve strokes.
Life Biosciences has already tested its method on monkeys with promising results. The treatment appeared to improve vision and showed signs of cellular rejuvenation without leading to cancer. If approved by the FDA, human trials could begin as early as this year.
However, concerns remain. Some researchers worry that moving too quickly could overlook long-term risks. Others question whether reprogramming will benefit the general public or remain an expensive treatment accessible only to the wealthy.
The push to slow aging is drawing billions of dollars in investment, with companies like Altos Labs, reportedly backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, exploring cellular reprogramming as a potential key to extending life. However, the path forward remains uncertain.
Recent studies suggest that while partial reprogramming can yield benefits, it may also cause unintended side effects, such as inflammation in the brain. Some scientists, including Charles Brenner from City of Hope, caution that any technique encouraging rapid cell division could increase cancer risk.
