I‘m extremely excited by this work. There has been significant interest recently in the idea that long genes will be particularly misexpressed in aging, but Aptah’s take on it is quite unique and highly compelling – and what’s more, it seems to be highly druggable. I urge everyone to check them out.
The ability to replicate human aging in a laboratory is an exciting field in modern gerontology. Animal models and cellular systems, including blood and tissue samples, have advanced our understanding of the human aging process. However, all model systems have limitations, especially when evaluating human brain cells with low turnover, such as our sophisticated neurons.
Surprisingly, the answer to this challenge may not be found on Earth but in space. Studies have shown that certain dysfunctions accelerate when people are in space. Changes in the optic nerve, retinal thickness, shorter telomere length, more DNA damage, and accelerated cardiovascular and musculoskeletal changes can occur at a rate of 10 times faster in space than on Earth. Astronauts may experience reduced blood production, abnormal blood pressure, lower heart rate, and other cardiac issues in space. To counteract these changes, astronauts need to adhere to strict exercise routines in space.
Alysson Muotri , a renowned professor from UC San Diego UCSD, Director of the recently formed Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute in San Diego, California, joined hashtagNASA to study the impact of space flight on astronauts. For years, Prof. Muotri has studied animal models and brain organoids by sending them to space.
According to recently published scientific articles in the field of hashtaglongevity, there is a significant gene-length-dependent transcription decline in brain tissue (cells with low turnover) that went to space, suggesting an underlying cause that could explain the accelerated aging process. Multiple biological factors could limit the ability to observe this decline; for example, cell proliferation dynamics and tissue turnover may dilute DNA damage and vary widely across tissue types.
In response to this challenge, Aptah Bio partnered with Prof. Muotri to address the gap between the problem and the long-awaited solution.
Aptah’s proprietary rejuvenation technology, called RNA WiCoTM (RNA Widespread Correction), has a unique ability to rejuvenate fully differentiated cells by restoring overall RNA expression balance and integrity. In previous human neuron (iPSC) studies, Aptah Bio was able to reverse 30 years of RNA damage in just 7 days of treatment. Additionally, it also reversed all hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease, including the reduction of multiple toxic proteins simultaneously (e.g. pTAU, AB, and TDP43). These results were replicated in animal studies.
Currently, Aptah Bio and Prof. Muotri are working to assess the effect of Aptah’s lead compound in animal models and brain organoids, which could be sent to the International Space Station as early as September 2024.
If the studies are successful, it could not only prevent harm to astronauts on long space flights but also potentially prevent or reverse the aging process in humans on Earth.
