Telomere Lengthening Therapy refers to the therapeutic strategies, both conceptual and in development, aimed at actively extending the length of telomeres, the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, which are a primary biomarker of cellular aging. The clinical goal is to reverse telomere attrition, thereby increasing the replicative capacity of somatic cells and potentially extending the healthspan of tissues. While highly experimental, the pursuit represents a direct intervention into one of the fundamental molecular mechanisms of senescence, promising to improve tissue regeneration and cellular function.
Origin
This term is rooted in the molecular biology of aging, specifically the discovery of telomeres and the enzyme telomerase, which is responsible for their maintenance. The concept of ‘therapy’ emerged from the potential to pharmacologically or genetically modulate telomerase activity to counteract the natural shortening that occurs with cell division and oxidative stress. It is a cutting-edge concept in regenerative medicine.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves the activation or administration of telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that adds repetitive nucleotide sequences (TTAGGG) to the ends of telomeres. By preventing or reversing the critical shortening of these caps, the therapy allows cells to undergo more divisions before reaching the Hayflick limit and entering senescence. Hormonal balance, particularly the optimization of growth factors, can indirectly support this process by reducing oxidative stress, which is a key accelerator of telomere shortening.
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