Key points from article :
A new study in Nature Aging, led by Dr. M. Carolina Florian at IDIBELL, highlights a promising strategy for reversing one of the most fundamental drivers of ageing: the decline of blood stem cells. These hematopoietic stem cells, found in the bone marrow, are responsible for producing all blood and immune cells. As we age, they lose their regenerative power, accumulate DNA damage, and contribute to weakened immunity, chronic inflammation, and higher disease risk. Florian’s team has now identified a pharmacological way to rejuvenate these ageing stem cells by targeting a key molecular regulator, RhoA.
In collaboration with Dr. Paula Petrone’s team at ISGlobal and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, the researchers combined animal experiments, stem cell assays, and advanced machine-learning tools to examine how ageing distorts the architecture of DNA inside stem cell nuclei. They found that blocking RhoA with a molecule called Rhosin restored youthful organization within the nucleus, reduced mechanical tension on DNA, and revived the cells’ ability to produce healthy blood components. When aged stem cells treated with Rhosin were transplanted into bone marrow, they generated stronger immune responses and more robust blood production, effectively behaving like young cells again.
The findings offer a potential path toward true rejuvenation therapy—interventions that reverse ageing at its source rather than merely treating its downstream effects. With populations in Western countries projected to double in the over-60 age group by 2050, such strategies could become critical for preventing age-related diseases including cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular disorders. While the results in mice are highly encouraging, clinical studies are still needed to determine whether Rhosin-based therapies can safely and effectively rejuvenate human stem cells. The team has already filed a European patent, marking the first step toward translating this work into future treatments aimed at improving healthspan and quality of life in ageing populations.
