The Liu Guanghui Research Group of the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Tang Fuchou Research Group of Peking University and the Qujing Research Group of the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have recently produced the world's first genetically enhanced human vascular cells by rewriting two bases in the human genome. 

FOXO3 is an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor that has been linked to longevity. When FOXO3 genetically activated human embryonic stem cells are differentiated into vascular endothelial cells (endometrial), vascular smooth muscle cells (vascular lining) and interstitial cells (vascular envelope), these three vascular cells have stronger self-renewal, stronger resistance to oxidative damage and stronger ability to delay cell aging compared with wild-type cells. When tested in a therapeutic context, FOXO3-enhanced vascular cells promoted vascular regeneration in a mouse model of ischemic injury and were resistant to tumorigenic transformation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, FOXO3 activation may provide a means for generating more effective and safe biomaterials for cell replacement therapies.

Source: CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Time:  2019.01.21