Epigenetic Reprogramming: Reversing Aging at the Cellular Level

Summary

Sinclair presents the latest results from his lab on partial reprogramming using OSK (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4) Yamanaka factors, showing reversal of epigenetic age in multiple tissues including the retina, brain, and muscle. He discusses the timeline for human applications and the safety profile of partial (vs full) reprogramming.

Key Takeaways

• 1

  Partial reprogramming (OSK, not OSKM) reverses epigenetic age without causing pluripotency or cancer

• 2

  Sinclair's lab restored vision in aged mice by reversing epigenetic age in retinal ganglion cells

• 3

  The epigenome is like a 'scratched CD' — the information is still there, it just needs to be read correctly again

• 4

  Gene therapy vectors (AAV) are the current delivery mechanism — systemic delivery in humans is the key challenge

• 5

  Sinclair predicts partial reprogramming therapies will enter human trials within 5 years

Molecules Discussed

Related Articles