We have been following research into aging on several frontiers. First
and foremost we have been keeping close tabs on research into telomeres
and the enzyme telomerase. We have also been watching the research into
human growth hormones and transforming growth factors(TGF).
However, we have not seen any published research comparing or
correlating the research. The research appears to be being conducted in
parallel with no intersections that we can find. If you know of any
such research we would greatly appreciate the citations. If you do know
of any you can post them to the newsgroup or e-mail them to
excelife.earthlink.net.
Assuming there has not been much research comparing these lines of
research, a couple of questions spring to mind:
It seems that TGF inhibits, at least, epidermal cells from
differentiating and allows the cell lines to live beyond their "Hayflick
Limit", does it also inhibit the shortening of the telomeres?
Since cell differentiation is normally assumed to be age related is the
TGF suppression of gene expression in any way related to possible TGF
effects on telomeres?
If, indeed, there is a correlation between the actions of TGF and
telomeric length then a combination of the research could possibly
achieve not only longer cellular reproduction but may also solve the
problem of age related genetic expression.
Comments and criticisms are welcome!
Thomas Mahoney. Pres.
Lifeline, Laboratories, Inc.
http://home.earthlink.net/~excelife/index.html
