A team led by George Murphy, a stem cell expert, has discovered revolutionary insights into longevity by studying stem cells from centenarians. By examining the unique properties of these cells in individuals over 100 years old, the researchers have uncovered valuable information about aging and the potential to extend human life.
The Murphy team reprogrammed blood stem cells from a group of volunteers to better understand the factors contributing to longevity. Initial findings, published in Nature, shed light on brain aging.
The research began when Murphy met a centenarian who survived both the 1918 Spanish flu and COVID-19 twice. A possible explanation for this remarkable resilience is that centenarians may possess a genetic composition that protects them from diseases.
However, verifying this theory is challenging due to the scarcity of centenarians, making their blood and skin samples highly valuable for research. This prompted Murphy and his team to establish a cell bank containing centenarian cells to share with other scientists.
In this study, Murphy collaborated with Tom Perls, a geriatrician at Boston University, who leads the New England Centenarian Study, the largest study of individuals aged 100 and older. Many centenarians were eager to participate, recognizing the uniqueness of their experiences, according to Perls. Participants underwent assessments of their physical and cognitive abilities, and blood samples were taken for analysis. Many exhibited good cognitive health and maintained independence in daily activities.
For about 30 centenarians, the team isolated blood cells and reprogrammed them into pluripotent stem cells, which can transform into any cell type in the body. This process allows researchers to study genetic factors influencing aging without altering the genetic code, aiding in the examination of genetic determinants of aging.
Experts have already begun experiments with these cells. Aging is associated with a loss of quality control mechanisms in cells responsible for protein production, contributing to the onset of diseases. Preliminary findings suggest that neurons derived from centenarians are more efficient in managing this process under stress, rapidly eliminating harmful proteins at a higher rate compared to neurons from non-centenarians.
Additionally, another research group led by Doo Yeon Kim from Harvard University has created 3D brain models of Alzheimer’s disease using cells derived from centenarians, comparing them to models from individuals aged 60. Initial studies indicate that centenarian-derived cells express higher levels of genes linked to protection against Alzheimer’s.