What this means
Researchers turned on four reprogramming genes in older mice and then blocked a brain artery. Those mice had smaller brain damage and better movement than normal mice.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the abstract. The original is below.
- Who it was tested in
- Aged mice
- Kind of research
- Research in animals or cells
The science
- Original title
- In Vivo Partial Cell Reprogramming With Yamanaka Factors Reduced Ischemic Brain Damage in Aging Mice.
- Authors
- Mallavibarrena PR, Martín-López G, Rodríguez-Morales J et al.
- Journal
- Aging cell
- Published
- Oct 24, 2026
- Study type
- Lab or animal study · indexed as animal research
- PMID
- 42924487 ↗
Abstract
Aging is associated with functional decline and reduced regenerative capacity in the brain, is also the strongest risk factor for ischemic stroke, which remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, and is associated with impaired functional recovery. Here, we investigated whether short-term partial cellular reprogramming through cyclic expression of Yamanaka factors (OSKM) in a Tet-ON mouse model under Rosa-26 promoter has any impact on ischemic damage in aged mice. To assess ischemic resilience, mice underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAo). Forty-eight hours after ischemia, OSKM-induced mice displayed significantly smaller damaged area compared with wild-type controls, accompanied by improved neurological scores and enhanced performance in the tightrope test, suggesting preserved sensorimotor abilities. Notably, myelin integrity was preserved in OSKM-treated mice, as shown by Black-Gold staining and stable MAG and MBP expression, whereas wild-type mice exhibited pronounced demyelination. Given the role of oligodendrocytes in myelin maintenance, we quantified the abundance of their different populations. OSKM induction significantly increased total oligodendrocytes (Olig2+) and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (PDGFRα+) following ischemia, suggesting an enhanced reparative response. Moreover, partial reprogramming preserved neuronal density in the ischemic cortex and prevented the marked astrocytic activation observed in wild-type mice, while microglial responses remained comparable across genotypes. These findings demonstrate that cyclic partial reprogramming in aged mice reduces ischemic damage, highlighting OSKM induction as a promising strategy for enhancing brain resilience during cerebrovascular accidents.
Mallavibarrena PR, Martín-López G, Rodríguez-Morales J et al. In Vivo Partial Cell Reprogramming With Yamanaka Factors Reduced Ischemic Brain Damage in Aging Mice. Aging cell. 2026. doi:10.1111/acel.70776. PMID: 42924487. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42924487/
Related research
Investigating the efficacy and toxicity of partial in vivo reprogramming as a rejuvenation intervention.
Partial reprogramming by cyclic expression of Yamanaka factors has been proposed as a rejuvenation strategy, yet evaluating tissue-specific responses and potential risks remains challenging.
A new idea about how body-wide signals may speed up aging late in life
This paper proposes a theory that signals between cells across the body shape how fast aging speeds up. It is an idea, not a tested result, so it does not prove the theory is right.
Plant extracts studied for effects on aging skin cells in a preprint
Researchers tested plant extract mixes on aged skin cells and skin samples in a lab. This is an early preprint, not yet checked by other scientists, so it does not show these mixes help real skin.
Gene SRSF1 slowed signs of aging in cells and in older mice
Scientists boosted one gene in aged human cells and in mice. It made the cells and mice look younger in some ways. This does not show it would work the same way in people.
See all research on Cell reprogramming (Yamanaka factors) →