Asprosin-Driven Metabolic-Epigenetic Rewiring Attenuates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Senescence With Therapeutic Benefits For Infarcted Hearts
Our bodies contain special cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are crucial for repairing damaged tissues, including the heart after a heart attack. However, as we age or when these cells are under stress, they can enter a state called “senescence,” which is like cellular aging, making them less effective at repair.
Recent research has uncovered a fascinating way to combat this cellular aging. Scientists have identified a natural factor, a hormone called asprosin, that can “rejuvenate” these MSCs. Asprosin works by essentially “rewiring” the cells’ internal processes, specifically how they handle energy (their metabolism) and how their genes are regulated (their epigenetics).
Think of it like this: cells have a master control panel (epigenetics) that dictates which genes are active or inactive, and a fuel system (metabolism) that provides energy. This study found that asprosin influences both, particularly by activating a pathway involving glycolysis (how cells break down sugar for energy) and a process called lactylation, which is a way metabolism can directly influence gene regulation. By optimizing these pathways, asprosin helps MSCs stay young and functional, improving their ability to repair damaged heart tissue after an ischemic event, like a heart attack.
This discovery suggests a new and exciting strategy to enhance stem cell-based therapies for heart disease, potentially leading to more effective treatments for patients.
Source: link to paper