Hypothalamus is a region in the brain that regulates numerous important body functions, including growth, reproduction, and metabolism. Recent studies also indicate that hypothalamus is responsible for the aging process. An in vivo research conducted in mice by Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that stem cells in hypothalamus play an important part in aging.
This study shows that hypothalamic stem cells naturally decrease in number as a person gets older, and this affects the speed of the aging process. To confirm this, the scientists selectively “disrupted” stem cells in the hypothalamus of adult mice. This disruption caused a faster aging process and a shorter life span compared to the control group.
Does this mean that adding stem cells to hypothalamus can counter aging process? To answer this, the scientists did a further research.
Hypothalamic stem cells affect aging by releasing microRNA (miRNA), a molecule with an important role in gene expression. miRNA is contained in a small vesicle called exosome. Scientists extracted these miRNA-containing exosomes from hypothalamic stem cells and injected them into the cerebrospinal fluid of two groups of adult mice. The first group has disrupted stem cells, while the second group is healthy. The result proves that hypothalamic stem cells indeed slow down aging.
Currently, scientists are trying to identify the specific miRNA and other supporting factors that are responsible for the aging process. It is hoped that this knowledge can be used as a strategy to combat age-related diseases and ultimately prolong life span.
Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Image
Source(s):
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/
- Yalin, Z., Soo, K. M., Baosen, J. et al (2017). Hypothalamic stem cells control ageing speed partly through exosomal miRNAs. Nature DOI: 10.1038/nature23282