The ability of the body’s cells to ‘turn on’ and ‘turn off’ selected genes and change what they do. Scientists have identified a group of proteins that can be harnessed for cellular programming, allowing them to reprogram damaged heart cells to repair cardiac injury in mice after a heart attack.
The findings from Sanford Burnham Prebys, US, could help transform the treatment of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular, Parkinson’s and neuromuscular diseases, they said. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communication.
The ability of body cells depends on cellular programming. An emerging approach in regenerative medicine in which scientists transform cells to repair damaged body tissues.
Research approach
Alexandre Colas, assistant professor, Sanford Burnham Prebys says “Even if a person survives a heart attack, there can still be long-term damage to the heart that increases the risk of heart problems, cell reprogramming could theoretically allow us to control the activity and appearance of any cell”.
He also mentioned that “this concept has huge implications in terms of helping the body to regenerate itself, but obstacles in reprogramming mechanisms have prevented the science from moving from the laboratory to the clinic.”
Researchers discovered AJSZ can be found in all cell types and can be used in the treatment of various diseases
“This breakthrough is a significant step forward in our journey to turn these promising biological concepts into real treatments,” said Colas. The next step in research involves several options to block the functioning of AJSZ proteins.
“We need to find a way to inhibit these proteins in a way that we can control, to make sure we’re reprogramming only the cells that need it, we’re going to be investigating drugs that can help us inhibit these proteins in a controlled and selective way.” the coming months,” Colas said. Helping heart health after injury is itself an important medical need, the researchers said.
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