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A step closer to reversing pulmonary fibrosis via telomerase gene therapy

Study in mice revealed great progress and potential for curing fibrotic diseases in humans

12-Aug-2020

Key points from article :

2018 study on reversed lung fibrosis in mice using a single gene therapy now has positive results.

New study shows same telomerase therapy can successfully treat age-related fibrosis in old mice.

Significantly shows it also works in mice that have not been genetically modified.

And whose fibrosis is simply the result of normal ageing.

Data also show the primary risk factor for that attrition is ageing.

Age-related telomere attrition naturally occurs in alveolar type II (AT2) cells.

Results suggests discovery of molecular basis of the association between aging and pulmonary fibrosis.

Direct correlation between telomere function in AT2 and pulmonary surfactant secretion.

And also with the development of fibrosis in animals.

Human trials for telomerase gene therapy are not too far away now.

Research from Telomeres and Telomerase Group at the CNIO, published in Journal of Cell Biology.

Collaboration with Complutense University of Madrid and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Mentioned in this article:

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Journal of Cell Biology

A journal published by Rockerfeller University Press that contains peer-reviewed research findings on cell biology

Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO)

Center for cancer research, including diagnosis and treatments.

Topics mentioned on this page:
Telomeres, Respiratory Disease