Hope for aging brains, skeletal muscle
Researchers at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) have shown that a protein, which they previously demonstrated can make failing hearts in aging mice appear more like those of young and healthy mice, similarly improves brain and skeletal muscle function in aging mice. In two papers released online early today by the journal Science (which will formally publish the papers on Friday), professors Amy Wagers and Lee Rubin of Harvard’s Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (HSCRB) report that injections of a protein known as GDF11, which is found in humans as well as mice, improved the exercise capability of mice and improved function of the olfactory region of the brains in the older mice. Rubin and Wagers, who also has a laboratory at the Joslin Diabetes Center, said that, barring unexpected developments, they expect to have GDF11 enter initial human clinical trials within three to five years. Postdoctoral fellow Lida Katsimpardi...