Researchers have developed an innovative method to combat the ageing process in bones. In a recent study, they used a gene therapy targeting immune cells, macrophages, to reduce a harmful protein called MMP9 in the blood. This protein is more common in older people and contributes to the deterioration of bone and cartilage tissue. By breaking down the MMP9, the bone structure and function in older mice improved significantly.
Macrophages are specialised cells that clear away waste and harmful substances in our body. The therapy uses messenger RNA, a genetic instruction that is delivered to these macrophages. As a result, they produce an antibody that tracks down and clears away MMP9. This is a clever way to use the body's own cells to tackle ageing-related problems. The research is still in its early stages, but shows promising possibilities for future treatments of age-related bone problems.
In addition, it is known that older people have more aged cells (senescent cells) in the body. These cells release substances that cause inflammation and damage tissue. Younger bodies clear these cells quickly, but that process slows down with age. This creates a vicious circle in which senescent cells and an aged immune system reinforce each other. Therapies that remove these cells show promising results in tissue repair and improving health.
Work is also being carried out on methods to better measure biological age, for example via so-called epigenetic clocks that demonstrate changes in the DNA. Although these techniques are not yet fully reliable for individuals, they help researchers better understand what ageing precisely is and how it is connected to factors such as income and lifestyle. This kind of knowledge is important for developing targeted treatments that can slow down the ageing process.
These developments are important because they will hopefully lead to new ways of making ageing healthier. By better tackling underlying ageing mechanisms, people can lead an active and vital life for longer.
Source: Reason
