Mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives as potential longevity-promoting tools.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are explored for longevity and age-related disease treatment.
• MSCs exhibit low immunogenicity and tumorigenicity, with efficacy less dependent on donor age in humans.
• Systemic administration of MSCs and EVs has shown potential to reverse aging markers in rodents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of MSCs, EVs, and Muse cells in promoting longevity and healthspan.
• To evaluate the rejuvenating effects of these stem cell-derived products on aged biological systems.
• To highlight the need for further research and clinical trials in aging populations.

Main Methods:

• Administration of MSCs and EVs to aged rodent models.
• Analysis of omic profiles in various organs post-treatment.
• Identification of microRNA targets in EVs related to longevity.

Main Results:

• Systemic administration of MSCs and EVs shifted aged rodent organ profiles towards younger states.
• EVs demonstrated potentially greater benefits than MSCs.
• A significant proportion of microRNAs in ESC-derived EVs targeted longevity-associated genes.

Conclusions:

• MSCs, EVs, and Muse cells hold promise for promoting healthspan and potentially extending lifespan.
• EVs, particularly those derived from ESCs, show significant potential due to their microRNA cargo targeting longevity genes.
• Further investigation, including clinical trials and the use of aging clocks, is crucial to validate these findings.