Anti-aging "Glue" Naturally Repairs Damaged DNA To Protect Brain Cells

One of the biggest red flags of DNA damage is found in the brain. Mature neurons – nerve cells – are highly specialized and, unlike other cells, don't possess centrioles, the mechanism essential for cell division and replication. Because of this, our bodies can't simply repair DNA damage or get new undamaged neurons to replace them. It's one reason why scientists are particularly interested in neural stem cell therapies for brain injury and cognitive function.

The scientists found that PDI, on the other hand, has the power to cross into the nucleus of a cell and repair damage, which would essentially extend the life and function of these very important microscopic systems.

Brain cells are especially vulnerable. Unlike skin or blood cells, they don’t divide or renew – so any damage that builds up in them stays. And if the damage isn’t repaired, it can eventually lead to the death of these critical cells.

Until now, scientists didn’t know why PDI sometimes appeared in the nucleus. For the first time, it’s shown that it acts like a glue or catalyst, helping to repair broken DNA in both dividing and non-dividing cells.

Now, the team is looking at various methods of gene therapy using PDI on cells, including mRNA treatment to better direct PDI in DNA repair. The university team may be focused on motor neuron disease (MND), but it can be applied to all conditions where damaged DNA contributes to advancing neruodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

PDI has previously been identified as a menace in cancer treatment, with high levels of this protein found to protect tumor cells from attack. So while anti-aging therapies could target specific cells, such as neurons for anti-aging therapies, scientists may also be able to switch off the shielding abilities of PDI in tumors, making cancers more vulnerable to treatments such as chemotherapy.