Slowing the Aging Process

A recently published study outlines a possible step toward slowing (and perhaps reversing) the aging process. The technique involves rebuilding telomeres – tiny caps at the ends of chromosomes that protect our DNA from unraveling.

As we age, our cells continually divide, and with each division the telomeres get a little shorter until the genome degrades to the point where it can no longer divide successfully. Stem cells are instrumental in producing telomerase – an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres. Researchers focused on a protein called PAPD5, which is known to reduce telomerase activity. They then proceeded to test more than 100,000 chemicals to identify two – BCH001 and RG7834 – that could act as PAPD5 inhibitors.

To test the compounds, human stem cells were modified to have telomere mutations and transplanted into mice. The PAPD5 inhibitors were then administered. Results showed that telomere length was restored with no adverse effects on the mice.

Earlier than normal reductions in telomerase activity can cause a wide range of debilitating diseases including dyskeratosis congenita, aplastic anemia, cirrhosis of the liver and pulmonary fibrosis. This research may provide a path toward treating these as well as age-related diseases.