Exosomes Set Rat Age Record

Some of my readers will be aware that a new record has been set for the oldest rat (4yrs). [2] The average laboratory rat lives approximately 3 y. [2] In rat terms, that’s a big difference. But the main point here is that exosomes could affect aging at all.

Exosomes are microscopic particles, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nanometers, sometimes called extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are created from cells and contain a variety of proteins, adhesion molecules, cytoskeletons, cytokines, ribosomal proteins, growth factors, and metabolic enzymes, lipids, DNA, messenger RNA and other types of RNA.

They are sometimes targeted to other specific tissues as a method of intercellular communication. They can be found in blood, urine, saliva, and other body fluids, and are often used to diagnose diseases, since disease states change the contents. Cancer cells for example give off exosomes that can be used to detect cancer.

Exosomes from stem cells are believed to be one way that stem cells affect rejuvenation of tissues. So it shouldn’t be surprising if exosomes could have this effect on whole organisms.

I would expect such rejuvenating exosomes to be from young sources and are perhaps the reason for the heterochronic parabiosis effects. Dr Katcher, of E5 fame, has suggested just that in a podcast.

The article states that it is not clear exactly how E5 caused this particular rat to break a lifespan record. But as evidence continues to accumulate, I believe that we will hear more about rejuvenating effects from certain exosomes or secreted extracellular vesicles.

References

[1] https://www.lifespan.io/news/exosomes-break-rat-lifespan-record/

[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0899900705001711

Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The author of this blog is not a licensed medical professional and does not claim to be an expert in any field of medicine.