Scientists managed to extend the life and health of the test mice, thanks to the genetic modification of just one gene. This gene is also present in humans, so it is likely that the results in humans will be the same.
The work of the Research Group at the Taipei Medical University in Taiwan was reported by Interesting Engineering. The biggest surprise of the study was that tampering with the mice’s genetic code did not lead to any side effects.
The researchers’ discovery could change our understanding of life and open up new opportunities to improve people’s health. While success has only been achieved in experiments with mice, this discovery paves the way for advances that could transform healthcare by giving people the tools to fight age-related diseases and unlock the secrets to longevity.
Researchers in Taiwan have focused on a gene known as KLF1, which, when modified, has shown a striking effect on the lifespan and health of mice.
The gene modification rejuvenated the mice’s cells and delayed age-related decline in their memory and heart. That is, we are talking about the fact that the mice not only lived longer, but also aged more slowly, while maintaining youth and vigor.
“It was a big surprise. So far, we haven’t found any negative side effects,” Che-Kun researcher James Shen said of the results.
The researchers believe that the fact that there are no side effects indicates that the genetic changes are safe and probably will not have any negative consequences if such modifications are applied to humans.
In addition to studying the state of the modified mice, the scientists also conducted another experiment in which the blood of the test mice was injected into unmodified mice. The results again surprised scientists. It turned out that even in this case, mice that did not modify the KLF1 gene lived on average five months longer (this is about 20% of the average life expectancy of mice) than their unmodified counterparts. Their physical and mental performance also began to decline later than in normal mice.
It also turned out that when the modified gene was transplanted via bone marrow transplantation, mice showed significantly higher anti-cancer capabilities. They showed reduced tumor growth and a lower incidence of spontaneous cancer than unmodified mice.
Since humans also carry the KLF1 gene, which regulates the production of new red blood cells, the scientists suggest that such a genetic change can be easily applied to humans and is likely to have the same qualitative consequences.
The study is currently awaiting peer review, which will determine the fate of experiments with the KLF1 gene.
Previously, GLOBAL HAPPENINGS also talked about the fact that a somewhat incomprehensible thing happened to mice in space.
Source: Obozrevatel
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