Removing p21-high aging cells to improve healthy lifespan
Targeting p21-Highly Expressing Cells to Increase Lifespan and Healthspan in Old Age
This project sees whether removing a specific type of aging cell called 'p21-high' can help older adults stay healthier and live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11039923 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using a new genetically engineered mouse model that lets them find, track, and remove p21-high senescent cells as animals age. They remove these cells periodically in old mice and measure effects on lifespan, frailty, and physical function. The team will compare p21-high cells to other senescent cell types and study how removing them affects tissues linked to cancer and heart disease. Although the work is in mice, the goal is to reveal targets that could lead to therapies to compress the period of poor health in later life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although the experiments are preclinical in mice, the findings would be most relevant to older adults experiencing frailty or multiple age-related conditions such as heart disease or cancer.
Not a fit: People who are young, without age-related decline, or seeking an immediate clinical therapy should not expect direct benefit from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to treatments that reduce frailty, delay multiple age-related diseases, and extend the healthy years of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies that remove senescent cells (senolytics) have improved healthspan in mice, but specifically targeting p21-high cells is a newer approach with promising early mouse results.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Ming — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Xu, Ming
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.