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Erasing the signs of aging in cells is now a reality

02 Nov 2011 | By INSERM (Newsroom) | Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics

Inserm’s AVENIR “Genomic plasticity and aging” team, directed by Jean-Marc Lemaitre, Inserm researcher at the Functional Genomics Institute (Inserm/CNRS/Université de Montpellier 1 and 2), has recently succeeded in rejuvenating cells from elderly donors (aged over 100). These old cells were reprogrammed in vitro to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and to rejuvenated and human embryonic stem cells (hESC): cells of all types can again be differentiated after this genuine “rejuvenation” therapy. The results represent significant progress for research into iPSC cells and a further step forwards for regenerative medicine.The results are published in the Genes & Development Journal dated 1 November 2011.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) are undifferentiated multiple-function cells. They can divide and form all types of differentiated adult cells in the body (neurones, cardiac cells, skin cells, liver cells, etc., see Figure 1).

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Figure 1: Cellular differentiation / © Inserm/Disc/F.Koulikoff/F.Launay

Since 2007, a handful of research teams across the world have been capable of reprogramming human adult cells into induced pluripotent cells (iPSC), which have similar characteristics and potential to human embryonic stem cells (hESC). This kind of reprogramming (see Figure 1, opposite, in red) makes it possible to reform all human cell types without the ethical restrictions related to using embryonic stem cells.

Until now, research results demonstrated that senescence (the final stage of cellular aging) was an obstacle blocking the use of this technique for therapeutic applications in elderly patients. Today, Inserm researcher Jean-Marc Lemaitre and his team have overcome this obstacle. The researchers have successfully rejuvenated cells from elderly donors, some over 100 years old, thus demonstrating the reversibility of the cellular aging process.

To achieve this, they used an adapted strategy that consisted of reprogramming cells using a specific “cocktail” of six genetic factors, while erasing signs of aging. The researchers proved that the iPSC cells thus obtained then had the capacity to reform all types of human cells. They have the physiological characteristics of “young” cells, both from the perspective of their proliferative capacity and their cellular metabolisms.

A cocktail of six genetic factors…

Researchers first multiplied skin cells (fibroblasts) from a 74 year-old donor to obtain the senescence characterized by the end of cellular proliferation. They then completed the in vitro reprogramming of the cells. In this study, Jean-Marc Lemaitre and his team firstly confirmed that this was not possible using the batch of four genetic factors (OCT4, SOX2, C MYC and KLF4) traditionally used. They then added two additional factors (NANOG and LIN28) that made it possible to overcome this barrier (see Figure 2).

Using this new “cocktail” of six factors, the senescent cells, programmed into functional iPSC cells, re-acquired the characteristics of embryonic pluripotent stem cells.

In particular, they recovered their capacity for self-renewal and their former differentiation potential, and do not preserve any traces of previous aging.

To check the “rejuvenated” characteristics of these cells, the researchers tested the reverse process. The rejuvenated iPSC cells were again differentiated to adult cells (see Figure 1) and compared to the original old cells, as well as to those obtained using human embryonic pluripotetent stem cells (hESC).

“Signs of aging were erased and the iPSCs obtained can produce functional cells, of any type, with an increased proliferation capacity and longevity,” explains Jean-Marc Lemaitre who directs the Inserm AVENIR team.

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Reprogramming elderly senescent cells © Inserm

…tested on cells taken from donors over the age of 100

The results obtained led the research team to test the cocktail on even older cells taken from donors of 92, 94 and 96, and even up to 101 years old. “Our strategy worked on cells taken from donors in their 100s. The age of cells is definitely not a reprogramming barrier.” He concluded. “This research paves the way for the therapeutic use of iPS, insofar as an ideal source of adult cells is provided, which are tolerated by the immune system and can repair organs or tissues in elderly patients.” adds the researcher.


© Inserm – Cure de jouvence pour cellules par Jean Marc Lemaitre

Inserm Transfert filed a patent request for this research.

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Researcher Contact
Jean-Marc Lemaitre Chargé de recherche Inserm Directeur de l'équipe AVENIR Inserm "Plasticité génomique et vieillissement" Unité 661 "Institut de génomique fonctionnelle"(Inserm/CNRS/Université de Montpellier) Jean-Marc Lemaitre a bénéficié du programme Avenir en 2006. Ce programme, créé en 2001 par l'Inserm, permet à de jeunes chercheurs, ayant obtenu leur thèse de sciences, de mettre en place et d'animer une équipe au sein d'une structure de recherche déjà existante. En 2009, l'Inserm et le CNRS ont réuni leurs 2 programmes destinés aux jeunes chercheurs et lancent désormais chaque année un appel d'offre commun : Atip-Avenir.
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Rejuvenating senescent and centenarian human cells by reprogramming through the pluripotent state Lapasset, L.1, Milhavet, O.2,*, Prieur, A.1, Besnard, E.1, Babled, A.1, Aït-Hamou, N.1, Leschik, J.1, Pellestor, F4., Ramirez, JM.3, De Vos, J.3, Lehmann, S.2, Jean-Marc Lemaitre1. (1) Laboratory of Plasticity of the Genome and Aging, Institute of Functional Genomics, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 05, France (2) Laboratory of Neurological Disorders and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 05, France (3) Laboratory of Early Embryo Development and Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, CHU Saint-Eloi Hospital, 80 avenue Augustin Fliche, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 05, France (4) Laboratory of chromosomal Genetics, Medical Genetics Department Hôpital CHRU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France Genes & Development, 1er novembre 2011 Vol. 25, No. 21, doi:10.1101/gad.173922.111
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