Centenarians Overexpress Pluripotency-Related Genes

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Human mesenchymal cells achieve pluripotency via Yamanaka factors (OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC, KLF4).
• Centenarians exhibit elevated BCL-xL expression, a factor linked to improved pluripotency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression of pluripotency-related genes in centenarians.
• To determine if Yamanaka factors and stemness markers are overexpressed in centenarians.
• To explore the functional role of BCL-xL in maintaining pluripotency gene expression.

Main Methods:

• Recruited young, octogenarian, and centenarian participants.
• Quantified mRNA expression of Yamanaka factors and stemness markers (VIM, BMP4, NCAM, BMPR2) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
• Transduced octogenarian lymphocytes with BCL-xL to assess its functional impact.

Main Results:

• Centenarians showed significantly higher mRNA expression of OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC, VIM, BMP4, NCAM, and BMPR2 compared to octogenarians (p < .05).
• BCL-xL transduction in octogenarian lymphocytes led to overexpression of SOX2, c-MYC, and KLF4.
• Findings suggest a correlation between Yamanaka factor expression and successful aging.

Conclusions:

• Centenarians overexpress key Yamanaka factors and stemness-related genes.
• BCL-xL plays a functional role in upregulating pluripotency genes.
• The observed gene expression patterns in centenarians may be a mechanism underlying their longevity and successful aging.