The following are generally accepted as the predominant root causes of ageing (Lopez-Otin et al. 2013, Schmauch-Medina et al. 2022, Tower 2015, Maldonado et al. 2023).
They result in impaired organ function & disease, cell death, tissue damage, oxidative stress, and accumulation of damaged molecules & cell machinery, highlighting the need for multifaceted interventions.
Key Root Causes of Ageing
- Failure of resident stem cell populations
- Senescent cell accumulation
- Necrosis
- Inflammation
- Failure of Autophagy
- Oxidative damage
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
These root causes of ageing represent cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to ageing and chronic disease. Failure of resident stem cell populations and senescent cell accumulation result in reduced tissue regeneration and repair, leading to impaired organ function and disease. Necrosis and inflammation are linked to cell death and tissue damage, which can accelerate ageing and lead to chronic diseases such as arthritis and neurogenerative conditions. Failed autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction also contribute to the accumulation of damaged molecules and cell machinery, resulting in oxidative stress and inflammation, in turn accelerating ageing and disease. These issues, and the associated age-related diseases they lead to, highlight the need for multifaceted interventions that target multiple hallmarks of ageing.
Micregen’s research, consisting of an extensive suite of pre-clinical data continues, and have to date led to the identification of the following programmes:
These targeted research areas are considered to be ideal candidates for a secretome therapeutic and were chosen to gather data that could address as many root causes of ageing as possible.
a) Gut – Necrotising Enterocolitis*
Root Causes of Ageing:
- Failure of resident stem cell populations
- Senescent cell accumulation
- Necrosis
- Inflammation
- Failure of Autophagy
- Oxidative damage
b) Pulmonary Diseases
Root Causes of Ageing:
- Failure of resident stem cell populations
- Inflammation
c) Senescence Associated Diseases
Root Causes of Ageing:
- Failure of resident stem cell populations
- Senescent cell accumulation
- Inflammation
- Oxidative damage
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
d) Neurodegeneration
Root Causes of Ageing:
- Failure of resident stem cell populations
- Senescent cell accumulation
- Necrosis
- Inflammation
- Failure of Autophagy
- Oxidative damage
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
* Ageing per se is not recognised as a disease for regulatory approval purposes, and few individual diseases address multiple aspects of ageing. Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) has been chosen as Micregen’s first clinical target due to the degenerative nature of the condition, the desperate need for effective treatment and the opportunity to demonstrate tissue repair. It is a devastating inflammatory bowel disease of infants marked by necrosis. NEC also addresses many root causes of ageing, and the disease qualifies for fast-track regulatory approval and should enjoy associated orphan disease designation benefits.