From rejuvenating existing cells to simply adding fresh stem cells to replace old ones, scientists are trialing a variety of approaches that could extend our lives and keep us disease-free for longer. A team of scientists from the University of Virginia have claim that they may soon be able to reverse aging by smoothening out wrinkles inside human cells.
The researchers made the discovery during a study investigating fatty liver disease, and linked the disease with cell membrane wrinkles that appear in the nucleus, where DNA is made.
The study which was published in the journal Aging Cell, investigated fatty liver disease, which is caused by fat building up inside the liver, impairing its function, and possibly leading to liver failure.
Professor Irina Bochkis, one of the study authors, discovered the creation of fat in the liver is caused by the appearance of wrinkles in the nucleus of the cell.
These wrinkles increase in number as we get older, and interfere with our cells ability to produce DNA.
These wrinkles multiply as people get older due to a protein deficiency, and cause fatty liver disease by preventing the cells from synthesizing protein properly, turning ordinary liver cells into fat.
But now scientists believe we have a way of smoothing out these wrinkles by adding the protein back. This could even help fight the effects of aging on the body.
But there is hope that this process can be reversed, professor Bochkis says, and help recreate a more youthful liver.
The wrinkling in the cell membrane is caused by a lack of a lamin, a cellular protein.
Adding this protein back to the cell membrane can help reduce the wrinkles, 'like Retinol helps smooth face wrinkles', she says.
The problem is how to get the proteins to the cells. Professor Bochkis and her team hope to use modified viruses to transport the protein to the liver.
While using modified viruses to deliver treatments is not a new procedure, Bochkis says it could be especially easy for their purposes, because of the role the organ plays in detoxifying the body.
