In Vivo Amelioration of Age-Associated Hallmarks by Partial Reprogramming

Cell. 2016 Dec 15;167(7):1719-1733.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.11.052.

Abstract

Aging is the major risk factor for many human diseases. In vitro studies have demonstrated that cellular reprogramming to pluripotency reverses cellular age, but alteration of the aging process through reprogramming has not been directly demonstrated in vivo. Here, we report that partial reprogramming by short-term cyclic expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) ameliorates cellular and physiological hallmarks of aging and prolongs lifespan in a mouse model of premature aging. Similarly, expression of OSKM in vivo improves recovery from metabolic disease and muscle injury in older wild-type mice. The amelioration of age-associated phenotypes by epigenetic remodeling during cellular reprogramming highlights the role of epigenetic dysregulation as a driver of mammalian aging. Establishing in vivo platforms to modulate age-associated epigenetic marks may provide further insights into the biology of aging.

Keywords: aging; cellular reprogramming; epigenetics; lifespan.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics*
  • Aging, Premature / genetics
  • Aging, Premature / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cellular Reprogramming*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Lamin Type A / genetics
  • Metabolic Diseases / genetics*
  • Metabolic Diseases / metabolism
  • Metabolic Diseases / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Sarcopenia / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Klf4 protein, mouse
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Lamin Type A
  • Lmna protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors