Tert gene therapy

Species: House mouse (Taxid: 10090)
Factor:
Manipulation: Gain-of-Function, Overexpression, Gene Therapy
Effect:

Mice treated with an adeno-assoicated virus vector expressing TERT at the age of one lived 24% longer on average and those treated at the age of two, by 13%. Maximum lifespan of the mice treated at 1 and 2 years was also extended by and 13% and 20%, respectively. AAV9-mTERT treated mice also had improved health, delayed onset of age-related diseases (like osteoporosis and insulin resistance) as well as improved readings in ageing indicators like neuromuscular coordination [22585399].

The gene therapy consists of a single injected via tail vein and achieved a transduction efficiency of 20-50%. Already 1 month after treatment, the treated mice at both age groups had longer telomeres and a decrease in the short telomeres in multiple tissues, while the controls exhibit an increase in short telomerase. In contrast to their control littermates at 3 and 8 months post-treatment the blood of most of the AAV9-treated mice at 1 year had no decrease or exhibit even a net increase in average telomere length and had also no increase or even a marked decrease in percentage of short telomeres with time. Thus, the therapy achieved in perhipheral blood leukocytes a prevention of telomere shortening. Treated mice had lower leves of fasting insulin, improved glucose tolerance and better homeostatic model assessment. Two years old treated mice had higher IGF1 levels. Treated mice at both ages had improved memory scores. AAV9-mTERT treatment increased cyclinD1 positive cells in various tissues. Upon AAV9-mTERT treatment levels of p16 decreased in most organs (with exception of heart). The metabolic and mitochondrial decline in 2 years old mice treated was not as apparent as in controls [22585399].

Mean: +13 to +24
Maximum: +13 to +20

References:
  • 22585399: Telomerase gene therapy in adult and old mice delays aging and increases longevity without increasing cancer.




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