Study conducted at the University of Leicester offers future
to assist tackling diseases and conditions associated with ageing and also in
treating cancer.
Dr Salvador Macip from the Mechanisms of Cancer and Ageing
Lab and the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Leicester
coordinated with a group of scientists and carried out the study to find new
ways of identifying old cells in the body.
Accumulation of old cells, called 'senescent', in human
tissue can contribute to symptoms of ageing. They can also appear as a result
of the activation of the internal anti-cancer mechanisms of the human body.
Dr Macip said, "What we have found is a series of novel
markers - a way to detect senescent cells.What is more, we have shown that they can be used to predict increased
survival in certain types of cancer. Until now, good protocols to help spot
these cells have been sadly lacking. Our research has described new markers
located on the surface of the old cells. This makes these markers particularly
useful to quickly identify these cells in laboratory and human samples using a
range of techniques."
Researchers look forward to use these tools to selectively
eliminate the old cells from the tissues and thus reduce their effects on promoting
ageing in healthy individuals.
Source: Medindia
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