Stem cells collected from human fat have been found to be more stable than others and may be useful in anti-aging treatments, according to a new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. These cells – called adipose-derived stem cells, or ASCs – have been found to make more proteins than first thought, and continue to create proteins at the same rate as they age. ASCs were able to maintain their stability, no matter the age of the patient they were collected from.
Dr. Ivona Percec,lead author of the study, explained, “Our studies show these cells are very robust, even when they are collected from older patients. It also shows these cells can be potentially used safely in the future, because they require minimal manipulation and maintenance.”
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Stem cells have already been employed in a variety of anti-aging treatments that are aimed at slowing and preventing aging-related diseases. However, these ASCs have been found to be more stable than stem cells collected from other tissues, meaning further research may provide lead to better treatments for preventing these conditions.
Dr. Percec further explained, “Unlike other adult human stem cells, the rate at which these ASCs multiply stays consistent with age. That means these cells could be far more stable and helpful as we continue to study natural aging.”
This discovery was found while Dr. Percec and her team were studying the chronological aging – or natural lifecycle – of these stem calls. Even without manipulation or artificial multiplication, these ASCs were found to remain stable and produce proteins no matter their age. The team will move on to study how the chromatin of ASCs is regulated – learning how tightly DNA is wound around protein in these cells and what effects this has on aging.
Further research is needed before these stem cells may be applied to treatment and/or prevention methods for age-related diseases.
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Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
