Science
Bonn researchers report partial de-aging of human blood cells
Wired reports that a Bonn University study set back a blood-cell aging biomarker by up to 60 years, though the mechanism remains unknown.
The short version
- Researchers at Germany's Bonn University published a study in Aging Cell on gradually de-aging human blood cells.[Wired]
- Blood cells from donors aged from an infant to 101 were guided toward a younger state, short of embryonic-like stem cells.[Wired]
- One aging biomarker was set back as far as 60 years in under two months, though the mechanism remains unclear.[Wired]
- A study caveat says blood and neurons age on different timelines, so the reversal's extent could be exaggerated.[Wired]
Key facts
- Researchers at Germany's Bonn University published a study in Aging Cell on gradually de-aging human blood cells.[Wired]
- The researchers started with blood cells from donors of various ages, including an infant and a 101-year-old.[Wired]
- The cells were guided into a younger state but not all the way to becoming embryonic-like stem cells.[Wired]
- In less than two months of reprogramming, one biomarker was set back as far as 60 years.[Wired]
What remains uncertain
- The mechanism that erased the signs of aging is still unclear.[Wired]
- Blood cells and neurons age on different timelines, so the measured extent of the reversal could be exaggerated, according to a caveat in the study.[Wired]
- Oliver Brüstle hopes the process could eventually be done systemically in a whole animal; this is an aspiration, not a reported result.[Wired]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.