Scientists in Japan have unveiled a new vaccination that they believe may eradicate "zombie cells" linked to aging and numerous ailments.
The vaccine's research team, led by Juntendo University professor Toru Minamino, published their findings in the journal Nature Aging on Friday.
According to these findings, mice given the vaccine have lower levels of senescent cells, often known as "zombie cells," which accumulate with age and are linked to illnesses such as arthritis and artery hardening, according to The Japan Times.
"We can expect that [the vaccine] will be applied to the treatment of arterial stiffening, diabetes and other aging-related diseases," Minamino wrote.
Senescent cells are cells that cease dividing but do not die after a period of time. These cells begin to emit dangerous substances, creating inflammation and causing damage to regular cells. The vaccination, according to reports, produces antibodies that attach to senescent cells, allowing white blood cells to eliminate them.
When compared to uninfected mice, mice administered the vaccine developed indications of frailty linked with old age at a slower rate. The researchers say that their novel vaccine has fewer negative side effects and lasts longer than other anti-senescent cell treatments already on the market.
Scientists continue to pursue anti-aging treatments and solutions, which frequently attract large investors anxious to halt the aging process and tackle diseases related to it.
Blood extracted from younger mice had a significant favorable impact on brain function when administered to older animals, according to studies published by the company Alkahest between 2011 and 2014. Since then, scientists have discovered over 8,000 proteins in the blood that could be used in anti-aging treatments.
The company was purchased by Grifols for $146 million earlier in 2021. So far, the Alkahest and Grifols have advanced six medicines to phase 2 studies, which are aimed at a variety of age-related illnesses and ailments such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Some scientists believe that age-related disorders are a natural result of scientific and medical developments that have allowed people to live longer lives during the last century.
In recent years, a number of mice experiments have used senolytics, which are medications that kill zombie cells. However, a Japanese team led by researchers from various universities discovered a protein prevalent in senescent cells in humans and mice and developed a vaccine based on an amino acid that helps make up the protein.
Many of the currently available medications for removing senescent cells are also used as anti-cancer treatments and may have undesirable side effects. The new vaccine had fewer side effects and lasted longer, according to the researchers.
