The role of astrocytes in the central nervous system-related improvements driven by partial reprogramming

Ageing is the primary risk factor for multiple neurodegenerative disorders.

Cellular ageing is, however, malleable: When combining specific reprogramming proteins, any cell type can be transformed back into a stem cell with its age reset to a young state.

When used in careful moderation, these proteins can reset any cell to a younger version of itself without losing its initial identity and function.

This process, called partial reprogramming, has been suggested as a potential way to prevent or treat age-related neurodegeneration.

In mice, using reprogramming proteins has been found to improve age-related memory decline, although the mechanisms behind this improvement are not yet known.

Here, we will study the effects of partial reprogramming on the central nervous system by attempting to identify the molecular pathways involved.

To this end, we look at the DNA-modifying changes accumulated throughout the lifespan (which are known to be amendable through partial reprogramming) and protein expression in partially reprogrammed mice to study which pathways are modified from the genetic to the resulting protein level.

With this, we strive to identify rejuvenation pathways that can be modified in the future development of safe neuroprotective therapies for humans without the use of reprogramming proteins.