07 Nov Single Injection of Klotho Gene Protected Animals From Cognitive Decline
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Chillon
Dr Miguel Chillon PhD
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Universitat Autonoma Barcelona
Spain
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Klotho is a protein with an anti-aging and neuroprotective role. Recent studies show it prevents the development of cognitive problems associated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Klotho works mainly by inhibiting the insulin / IGF-1 signaling pathway and decreasing the damage caused by oxidative stress in the brain. One of the latest results revealed that the concentration of Klotho in cerebrospinal fluid is significantly lower in Alzheimer’s patients than in human controls of the same age; and it is lower in the elderly with respect to young adults.
Our study used a gene therapy strategy to introduce the Klotho gene into the Central Nervous System of adult animals. With just a single injection of the Klotho gene, young adult animals were protected over time from the cognitive decline associated with aging in old animals. These exciting results pave the way to further advances in research and the development of a neuroprotective therapy based on Klotho.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: Klotho regulates processes associated with aging. When over-expressed, it increases life expectancy and protects from developing learning and memory deficits. Our therapeutic strategy is based on increasing the levels of Klotho in the brain through an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, which have proven to be safe and effective in the brain.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: The study was carried out in naturally aging animals, and not transgenics. We therefore believe the results indicate Klotho has a therapeutic potential. Future research should explore its suitability to treat dementia and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s or multiple sclerosis, among others.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: This therapeutic strategy has been licensed to Kogenix Therapeutics INc (US), whose objective is to advance preclinical studies already initiated in animal models of Alzheimer’s in order to develop a gene therapy strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation: A. Massó, A Sánchez, A Bosch, L Giménez-Llort, M Chillón. Secreted αKlotho isoform protects against age-dependent memory deficits. Molecular Psychiatry, 2017; DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.211
https://www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/mp2017211a.html
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
Last Updated on November 7, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD