Mayo Clinic Researchers Develop New Method to Tag Aging 'Zombie' Cells
Similar Articles
New Drugs Target 'Zombie' Cells to Combat Cancer and Aging
Review Maps Paths to Target Senescent Cells for Anti-Aging Interventions
Scientists Reverse Aging in Blood Stem Cells by Repairing Lysosomes
Topical Drug Reduces Aging Signs and Speeds Wound Healing in Mice
Researchers Identify Brain Cell Process That Removes Alzheimer's Plaques in Mice
A research team at Mayo Clinic has developed a new technique using synthetic DNA molecules called aptamers to specifically tag senescent cells, which are linked to aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. The study, published in the journal Aging Cell, identified aptamers that bind to proteins on the surface of these 'zombie' cells. This foundational work could pave the way for new research into therapies targeting cellular aging.
Facts First
- Aptamers, short synthetic DNA strands, can tag senescent cells by binding to specific surface proteins.
- Researchers screened over 100 trillion DNA sequences using mouse cells to find aptamers that attach to senescent cells.
- Several identified aptamers bound to a variant of fibronectin, a protein on mouse cell surfaces.
- The project began from a conversation between graduate students Keenan Pearson, Ph.D., and Sarah Jachim, Ph.D.
- The study was published in the journal Aging Cell and involved a multidisciplinary team of researchers.
What Happened
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new method to identify senescent cells, often called 'zombie cells'. The technique uses molecules called aptamers, which are short strands of synthetic DNA that fold into specific shapes to attach to proteins on cell surfaces. The team screened more than 100 trillion random DNA sequences using mouse cells to find rare aptamers that bind to proteins associated with senescent cells. Several of the identified aptamers attached to a variation of a protein called fibronectin found on the surface of mouse cells. The study was published in the journal Aging Cell.
Why this Matters to You
Senescent cells accumulate in the body as we age and have been linked to age-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease and cancer. This new tagging method is a foundational research tool that could eventually lead to better diagnostic tests or therapies that target these harmful cells. While the research is in its early stages and was conducted in mice, it represents a step toward understanding and potentially mitigating the cellular processes of aging, which may one day influence treatments for common age-related diseases.
What's Next
The research team will likely continue to explore the exact relationship between the identified fibronectin variant and cellular senescence. The aptamer technology may be adapted for further research, potentially including human cell studies, to better understand how to detect and eliminate senescent cells. This could open new avenues for developing targeted anti-aging therapies.