Scientists are working on a vaccine that stops or slows aging. Early research on mice showed that it worked.
The study was published in the journal Nature Aging, and is backed by scientists at the private Juntendo University in Tokyo. The team is focusing on stay-related cells known as “zombie cells”. In essence, these are damaged cells that accumulate and release chemicals that cause inflammation in the surrounding cells. Their nickname “zombie cells” is due to the fact that they are found in tissues that have stopped multiplying but refuse to die. The process is part of aging.
The Juntendo study is based on previous research that found that eliminating aging cells appears to slow aging-related diseases.
Scientists first identified a protein unique to these zombie cells, and then created a peptide vaccine that creates an immune response to it.
In their study, Japanese researchers administered the experimental vaccine to mice whose arteries thickened in ways similar to those in older people. The team found that the vaccine not only helped improve this “arterial hardening” but also “extended the life of prematurely aging mice”.
Speaking to the Japan Times, study author Toru Minamino said that in the future, something like this experimental vaccine could be used to “treat arterial hardening, diabetes and other diseases associated with aging.”
The authors say that “their anti-aging vaccine” cannot make a person immortal, but it can eliminate many of the causes of premature death. Thus, in practice, the product is able to extend the life of everyone, while improving its quality.
