US20260014229
2026-01-15
Human necessities
A61K38/1709
The application describes engineered nucleic acids and recombinant viruses designed to encode specific transcription factors like OCT4, KLF4, and SOX2. These are intended to induce cellular reprogramming, tissue repair, and organ regeneration, as well as reverse aging. The invention leverages the Yamanaka factors, known for inducing pluripotency, but aims to avoid the associated risks of complete reprogramming, such as teratoma formation and other toxicities.
The limited regenerative capacity of mature somatic cells and their susceptibility to damage, especially with age, highlights the need for methods to rejuvenate cells. Unlike mature cells, embryonic cells demonstrate greater resilience and regeneration. The invention focuses on reversing aging by restoring epigenetic information lost over time, rather than genetic mutations, which were previously thought to drive aging.
The methods involve using OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 to restore epigenetic information without inducing full pluripotency. This approach allows cells to revert to a healthier state without losing their identity, thus maintaining tissue and organ integrity. The invention avoids the use of c-Myc, which has been linked to adverse effects, and instead focuses on controlled expression of the other factors to rejuvenate cells.
The invention can potentially treat diseases, including ocular conditions, by promoting tissue regeneration and reversing aging-related changes. It uses inducible promoters to precisely control the expression of the transcription factors, thus managing the epigenetic marks associated with aging and youthfulness. This ensures the prevention of cellular identity loss while rejuvenating cells.