Senolytic Nano-Encapsulation for Age Reversal
Using Nanotechnology and Senolytics to Eliminate Senescent Cells
Drugs that target cell senescence, one of the key hallmarks of aging, exist. A drug that can extend the lifespan, exists and they’re called senolytics.
I propose taking it one step further.
What if we could leverage nanotechnology and encapsulate the drug in the devices and treat every single cell in our body?
My proposal explores the applied potential of nano-carriers in aging and completely flushing out the bad senescence in our bodies.
Let’s dig deeper into the science of senolytics and nano-carrying.
Crash Course: Aging, Senolytics & Nano-Tech 101
The buildup of senescent cells has been discovered to be linked with aging, deeming cell senescence as one of aging’s key hallmarks. When our cells divide, they accumulate damage each time. Once these cells hit a point where this damage is irreversible, they become senescent.
Eventually, as we age, the number of senescent cells in our bodies exponentially increases, worsening the effects of aging and introducing diseases like cancer.
This is where senolytics swoop in and save the day.
Senolytic drugs are basically agents that specifically target cells in our body that have no function and refuse to die, otherwise known as senescent cells. The drug then forces the cell to die, it induces apoptosis (cell death).
TL;DR: Senescent cells are cells that have no function and build up when we age, causing problems. Senolytics get rid of these cells.Senolytic Science
So, why doesn’t the senescent cell die?
We can thank the proteins BCL-W and BCL-XL. They are like those annoying popup ads. The ads just show up out of nowhere and we are left staring at the screen and doing nothing until the 30 second timer is over.
It’s the same for the proteins, except there is no timer. The proteins stay there.
Forever.
BCL-W and BCL-XL act as anti-apoptotic (anti-death) proteins by stopping the release of mitochondrial contents like cytochrome c, which leads to caspase activation in our cells which then leads to programmed cell death, apoptosis.
These proteins basically take away the “x” button when we try to click off of an advertisement.
An answer seems obvious. Why don’t we just inhibit these proteins then?
Exactly.
Some senolytics do exactly that. They inhibit BCL-W and BCL-XL by using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or the small-molecule, ABT-737 which specifically induces apoptosis in senescent cells. These senolytics give you that “x” button, effectively killing the advertisement.
Essentially, the over expression of this protein family is a key indicator of a senescent cell which the senolytic can pick out. It’s a crucial differentiating factor.
Nano-What?
Woah, woah, woah. Let’s slow down here. Nano-materials? Nano-encapsulation? Nano? What does that even mean?
As you might have guessed: nano means small.
Basically, we are working with very, very small materials or in this case, capsules. Not just any kind of small, I mean small.
One nanometer is a billionth of a meter. To put it into perspective, a single strand of hair is about 100,000 nanometers wide.
A nanocapsule, which is basically a storage compartment for liquids, can range from 5 to 1000 nanometers.
At a high level, a nano-something is just that something, but at a nano-scale.
Combining Senolytics with Nanotechnology
The current senolytics typically come in the form of a pill, however it doesn’t give the body a full treatment. A full treatment is only possible at a nano-level. So, I propose pairing nanocapsules, which already exist, with senolytics.
What are the three things this nanocapsule must do?
- Enter the body.
- Detect the senescent cell.
- Deliver the senolytic drug.
Most of these functions have already been studied and applied. However, the combination with senolytics is still new.Encapsulating Senolytics
This process (senolytic nano-encapsulation) involves loading particles of diameters ranging from 1–1000 nanometers with senolytics in a solid phase. The capsule then enters the body and the senolytic is then released into various parts of the body.
Once these capsules come into contact with BCL-W and BCL-XL, it’s like an ambulance siren goes off and the paramedics burst out and start fixing up whatever is wrong.
Why not just stick to senolytics?
The use of nano-capsules is much safer than the traditional pill as senolytic nano-encapsulation increases the drug’s efficacy, specificity and targeting ability. It also reduces systemic toxicity associated with drugs. It 10xs the senolytic process while also extending to nearly every cell in the body.
I am proposing to send these senolytic drugs in the best transport system.
A Step into the Future
(Except your Age Hasn’t Felt the Effects)
Imagine walking into the clinic for your annual doctor’s checkup and walking out feeling 10 years younger, this isn’t figurative. Imagine your body literally being the same health as it was 10 years ago.
Wrinkles? Joint pain? Those are long gone.
Well, this doesn’t have to stay in your imagination. A higher efficiency and safer process with senolytics will take us one step closer to a reality where we can go for a doctor’s check-up and walk out 10 years younger.
By pairing the proven effective senolytics, with an ideal transport system, the process of senolytic nano-encapsulation will undeniably fast-track the results we are seeing in the aging space.
Let’s make it happen!
If you know anyone researching/working in the field of aging or the applications of nanotechnology in biology, share this link with them so we can make this future a reality.
Further Reading
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Check out the video I made on this topic too!
