Cord blood Protein Rejuvenates old mice
Researchers at Stanford University, working under the guidance of Professor Tony Wyss-Coray, have demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood, namely the protein contained in it, increases the functionality of the brain and cognitive ability of mice.
In an earlier study widely discussed by the scientific community, the authors demonstrated that the introduction of human plasma (a liquid component of blood) can have a positive effect on the memory of mice and their ability to learn. Based on this, they suggested that a similar effect can be observed in humans. This fact is also interesting from the point of view of the development of "anti-aging" drugs, since, according to the assumption of scientists, the observed effects are mainly due to a single protein.
As part of their new study, they compared the protein composition of plasma of two groups of people aged 19-24 and 61-82 years, as well as umbilical cord blood, and identified age-associated changes in the concentration levels of a number of proteins.
The authors suggest that these changes may have an impact on the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory. In particular, the hippocampus is important for remembering spatial information (for example, the ability to find a car parked a few hours ago in a multi-level parking lot), as well as information about autobiographical events (for example, what you ate for breakfast).
For obscure reasons, the hippocampus is particularly susceptible to the destructive effects of normal aging processes, which is manifested by degeneration, death of nerve cells and a decrease in size. In parallel, memory and learning ability fade away. Hippocampal degeneration is also an early manifestation of Alzheimer's disease.
To identify the effect of old, young and "youngest" human blood on the functions of the hippocampus, the researchers used immunodeficient mice that can be repeatedly injected with human plasma without the risk of developing immunological rejection reactions. Preliminary experiments have shown that in animals of this line, the age-related extinction of the activity, integrity and regenerative ability of the hippocampus occurred slightly faster than in normal animals.
Old immunodeficient mice showed lower results when passing memory and learning ability tests than young animals. In such a test, known as the Barnes maze, mice are placed on a table approximately 60 cm in diameter and 40 cm high. Bright lighting and a large open space cause mice to feel dangerous. There are many holes in the table, to one of which a tube is attached from below, in which a frightened mouse can find darkness and safety. Through other holes, the animal falls to the floor, falling from such a height does not harm him, but causes unpleasant memories. The place of attachment of the pipe can be changed, as well as the location of visual prompts leading the animal to the rescue hole.
The administration of human umbilical cord blood to old mice every other day for two weeks significantly improved many parameters of the functioning of the hippocampus. At the same time, the plasma of elderly people had no effect, and the plasma of young people induced intermediate changes.
In search of the protein responsible for this effect, the authors analyzed the levels of proteins in the plasma of people of different age groups. Their attention was attracted by tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 (TIMP2), a protein belonging to a well–known group of 4 tissue metalloproteinase inhibitors regulating the activity of proteins whose function is to fragment other proteins of the matrix surrounding cells.
The administration of TIMP2 itself to old mice generally reproduced the positive effects of cord blood plasma. It even restored to animals the ability of mice to build nests: an instinct usually lost in old age, which consists in using available materials, such as cotton pads provided by researchers, to create nests in which animals like to sleep. At the same time, the administration of TIMP2-depleted cord blood plasma to old mice had no effect on memory and learning ability. And the administration of neutralizing TIMP2 antibodies to healthy young animals worsened their results when performing memory tests.
Article by Joseph M. Castellano et al. Human umbilical cord plasma proteins revitalize hippocampal function in aged mice published in the journal Nature.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on Stanford University School of Medicine: Study shows protein in human umbilical cord blood rejuvenates old micah's impacted learning, memory.
25.04.2017