Blood cell "rejuvenation" drug created

Scientists from the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL) have managed to "rejuvenate" hematopoietic stem cells by using the drug Rhosin, which suppresses the activity of the RhoA protein. In aging bone marrow, this protein causes changes that lead to a weakened immune system.

As reported by BAKU.WS, the results of the study are presented in the journal Nature Aging.

Aging is accompanied by a decrease in tissue functionality and is considered a key risk factor for the development of severe diseases.

"In particular, the reduced efficiency of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in elderly people affects not only their ability to restore the hematopoietic system, but is also directly related to the emergence of serious age-related diseases," the researchers emphasized.

In a series of experiments, treatment of human stem cells with the drug Rhosin restored their functional properties: the cells actively divided again, formed full-fledged immune cells, and showed better engraftment after transplantation. Additional analysis using machine learning methods showed that the drug restructures chromatin (the main component of DNA) and reduces harmful tension in the nuclear membrane - factors that are considered key mechanisms of cellular aging.

The authors emphasize that unlike common methods aimed at slowing down the effects of aging, the new approach targets its root cause. If the effectiveness of Rhosin is confirmed by clinical trials, pharmacological "rejuvenation" of the hematopoietic system could become a method for preventing age-related diseases.