Deconstructing age reprogramming.

ABSTRACT

It has been proposed that age reprogramming enables old cells to be rejuvenated without passage through an embryonic stage (Singh and Zacouto in J. Biosci. 35 315-319, 2010). As such, age reprogramming stands apart from the induced pluripotent stem (iPS) and nuclear transfer-embryonic stem (NT-ES) cell therapies where histo-compatible cells are produced only after passage through an embryonic stage. It avoids many of the disadvantages associated with iPS and NT-ES cell therapies. Experimental evidence in support of age reprogramming is burgeoning. Here, we discuss possible new approaches to enhance age reprogramming, which will have considerable benefits for regenerative therapies.