The Professor of Developmental Biology at the Catholic University of San Antonio of Murcia (UCAM), Juan Carlos Izpisúa, has announced that recent research has determined that the loss of cell identity plays a key role in the evolution of multiple pathologies and in aging itself.
The work, developed by Altos Labs —an institution founded by Izpisúa— in collaboration with UCAM, points to the so-called "mesenchymal drift" as a possible trigger for inflammation and fibrosis processes, after reviewing a broad set of human diseases in which a common deregulation has been detected.
"This finding has made it possible to verify that the effect is independent of the disease model we use. Therefore, our intention is not to take adult cells to their embryonic stage, but to adjust the identity of those that have lost their specialization," Izpisúa stated during a presentation at the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain, held on the occasion of the presentation of the UCAM Chair of Geroscience.
This approach is based on partial cellular reprogramming, the technology that the researcher described a few years ago and whose most recent progress he has announced: "By applying Yamanaka factors in a controlled manner, we can restore cellular identity."
The scientist added that "if technologies are developed that manage to stop this 'mesenchymal drift,' perhaps the initial progression and possible treatment of diseases could be improved."
During his speech, Izpisúa detailed that a proof of concept is being carried out at the Hospital Clínic in Barcelona with animal models of kidney disease and with donated organs for transplants that have been discarded due to deterioration, with the aim of restoring their functionality, and that the preliminary results are very encouraging.
UCAM Chair of Geroscience
The UCAM Chair of Geroscience, directed by Dr. José Viña, aims to advance knowledge of aging and the pathologies that accompany it.
As its managers explain, the integration of different research lines focused on aging and regenerative medicine will provide a new perspective on the biological mechanisms that drive age-associated chronic diseases.
Through this Chair, UCAM also aims to train new researchers, foster knowledge generation, and promote projects with direct application in society. Its goal is to extend the healthy life stage, maintaining the autonomy, functionality, and vitality of older adults through preventive and personalized medical strategies.
In this context, the possible clinical application of partial cellular reprogramming presented by Izpisúa is emerging as a way to design new tissue repair strategies that contribute to slowing down degenerative processes and age-associated functional decline.