Researchers reverse ageing in human cells by 30 years in new study

Scientists have developed a method to reverse ageing in human skin cells by up to 30 years – the longest so-called ‘reprogramming’ method achieved so far.

In a new study, published in the journal eLife, researchers describe being able to partly restore the function of older cells, as well as renew their biological age.

This is important because, as people get older, their cells’ ability to function declines and the genome – or DNA blueprint – accumulates marks of ageing. One such function that ceases to be as effective when cells age is skin regeneration.

However, according to a team at the Babraham Institute, who conducted the research, new experiments where skin wounds were simulated found that partially rejuvenated cells exhibited signs of behaving more like youthful cells.

Professor Wolf Reik, formerly the director of Babraham, who has recently moved to lead the Altos Labs Cambridge Institute, said the work “has very exciting implications”.

“Eventually, we may be able to identify genes that rejuvenate without reprogramming, and specifically target those to reduce the effects of ageing,” he explained. “This approach holds promise for valuable discoveries that could open up an amazing therapeutic horizon.”

Regenerative biology aims to repair or replace cells, including old ones.

One of the most important tools in regenerative biology is the ability to create ‘induced’ stem cells, but this process essentially wipes the cells of their function and gives them the potential to become any cell type.

This new method, based on the Nobel Prize-winning technique scientists use to make stem cells, overcomes the problem of completely erasing cell identity by stopping reprogramming part of the way through the process.

As a result, researchers were able to find the precise balance between reprogramming cells, making them biologically younger, while still being able to regain their specialised cell function.

They write in the study that the potential applications of this technique are dependent on the cells not only appearing younger but also functioning like young cells.

The findings have been so well-received that experts suggest – while in their early stages – they could revolutionise regenerative medicine, especially if the new process can be replicated in other cell types.

Dr Diljeet Gill, a postdoctoral researcher in Prof Reik’s lab at the Babraham Institute, who conducted the work as a PhD student, said: “Our results represent a big step forward in our understanding of cell reprogramming.

“We have proved that cells can be rejuvenated without losing their function and that rejuvenation looks to restore some function to old cells.”

And he added: “The fact that we also saw a reverse of ageing indicators in genes associated with diseases is particularly promising for the future of this work.”

Experts believe the research could open up other therapeutic possibilities, too.

As well as skin cells, the research was found to have an effect on other genes linked to age-related diseases and symptoms, such as the APBA2 gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease and the MAF gene that plays a role in the development of cataracts.

Additional reporting by PA