Potential of Telomerase for Treating Age-Related Disease and Stem Cells

Bryant Villeponteau, William H. Andrews, and Owen McGettrick
Sierra Sciences, LLC, Reno, NV

Various tissues often decline in function with age or with age-related disease. Regeneration of organ and tissue dysfunction is typically promoted by adult stem cells. However, some adult stem cell lines may decline in cell number or function with age, so that tissue repair is delayed or incomplete in older mammals, leading to failure to maintain or repair tissue function. For example, wound repair is typically sluggish or incomplete in older mammals. The protein component of telomerase (TERT) repairs telomere ends and promotes stem cell growth and maintenance.

Although most adult stem cells have detectable telomerase, the level is typically insufficient to maintain telomere length and stem cell function can decline with shortened telomeres. Sierra Sciences is the leader in developing potent telomerase activators. The present report reviews the potential therapeutic uses of telomerase activators. The argument is made that telomerase activation has potential therapeutic uses in many human diseases via its positive effects on the regenerative capacity of adult stem cells and their healthy differentiated progeny cells.