•“Cellular aging is linked to
deficiencies in efficient repair of DNA double strand breaks and authentic genome maintenance at the chromatin
level. Aging poses a
significant threat to adult stem cell function by triggering persistent DNA damage and ultimately cellular senescence.” Further,
“65% of naturally occurring
repairable DNA damage in self-renewing adult stem cells occurs within transposable elements” of Alu RNA/DNA.
•Specific interventions
involving removal of damaged specific segments of RNA, formerly thought to be “junk RNA,” can reverse
adult stem cell senescence.
Working with specific segments of RNA can add to the traditional epigenetic interventions that mainly have related to DNA
methylation and histone
acetylation. Specifically, by modifying a Lentivirus genome to express GFP and sh-RNA against Alu transcript, it is possible to
knock down the generic
SINE/Alu transcript in senescent adult stem cells, reversing senescence markers, rejuvenating the cells, and
restoring their lost differentiation
capability.
•So far, this has been
achieved in-vitro. It is yet to be
shown that it can be accomplished
in-vivo
•