3 replies to this topic

[smithx]

COULD we stem the tide of ageing by delaying the deterioration of stem cells? A new compound that appears to do just that could help us find ways to protect our organs from age-related wear and tear, experiments in mice suggest.

As we age, so do our mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): their numbers in our bone marrow decline, and those that are left lose the ability to differentiate into the distinct cell types - such as bone, cartilage, fat and possibly muscle cells - that help in the healing process.

"We think this ageing of stem cells may be linked to the onset of some age-related disorders, such as osteoporosis," says Ilaria Bellantuono at the University of Sheffield in the UK.
...
In a bid to find a compound that might slow MSC ageing, the team tested numerous molecules known to target prion proteins on dishes of human stem cells. One molecule emerged as a potential candidate - stem cells treated with it produced 300 times the number of cells over 250 days than untreated stem cells. The treated cells kept on dividing for longer.

The team then injected treated cells into the thigh bones of mice, and three days later found that they had produced three times as many new cells as they would normally produce. After five weeks, there were 10 times as many cells.

The new cells appeared to be of higher quality, too, and readily differentiated into bone and fat cells, as well as those that support the tissue and blood vessels.
...

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21528784.600-protecting-prion-protein-keeps-stem-cells-young.html

And the paper:
http://onlinelibrary...m.1065/abstract

[Logic]

Thx Smithx. Very interesting.

So cellular prion protein (PrP) enhances proliferation and self-renewal of hematopoietic, mammary gland, and neural stem cells.
They increased PrP expression with a small molecule called 3/689.
This dramatically increased the the number of stem cells produced in vivo at the end of the day.
3/689 showed enhanced protection from DNA damage and enhanced cell cycle progression and upregulation of superoxide dismutase-2. (SOD2)

The increase in SOD2 was dependent on PrP expression and suggests increased scavenging of reactive oxygen species as mechanism of action.

So how to turn this info into practicle LE with a pill?
We are looking for something that increases PrP experssion.
Perhaps something that increases SOD2 will work backwards to increase PrP expression??

Nerve growth factor increases mRNA levels for the prion protein
and the f8-amyloid protein precursor in developing hamster brain
http://www.ncbi.nlm....s00303-0447.pdf

Expression of Prion Protein Increases Cellular Copper Binding and
Antioxidant Enzyme Activities but Not Copper Delivery
http://www.ncbi.nlm....s00303-0447.pdf

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha regulates prion protein expression to protect against neuron cell damage.
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/22036844


Im heading out of my depth here as usual.

Edited by Logic, 19 August 2012 - 01:58 PM.

[Logic]

From this post it seems that Lion's Mane may be the substance to upregulat PRP?

http://www.longecity...post__p__372978

Or perhaps Im putting my foot in my mouth again!

Edit: Just found this thread:
The myth of Lion's Mane and Nobel Prize
http://www.longecity...nd-nobel-prize/

Edited by Logic, 19 August 2012 - 04:36 PM.

[1kgcoffee]

I would like to know what this small molecule 3/869 looks like (ie a saponin?) to see if we can find anything similar in the world of herbs. Might have to contact the university of sheffield, unless anyone here knows?