Aging is a complex multi-factorial process that affects cells, tissues and organs. It also affects the immune system, which is crucial for the body's defense against the harmful environment. Age-related defects of the immune system lead to the development of most age-related diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases and cause an increased susceptibility to infections.
One of the strategies that could improve the function of the immune system of an old individual is the transplantation of young hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs) which would be collected from an individual in his/her youth and cryopreserved for a long time. After re-infusion later in life of the same individual, young and healthy HSPCs could »rejuvenate« the old immune system and improve its functioning. Furthermore, individuals lifespan could be prolonged. The process is called heterochronous autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
In this study we used a new method of HSC transplantation with prior mobilization of endogenous HSCs into peripheral blood. For this purpose, we used the molecule CASIN, which temporarily empties the recipient's niche, thus allowing engraftment of a larger number of transplanted cells.
With the use of the CASIN molecule, we achieved a high percentage of donor chimerism after transplantation of young HSPCs into old recipients. In the recipients of young HSPCs, we detected some improvements in the function of the immune system and a slighty higher median lifespan. Nevertheless, for translation into human medicine, additional research would be needed to confirm the beneficial effects of this type of therapy.
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