PMID-15455129 – Epitalon Promotes Overcoming Division Limit in Human Cells
Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2004;137(6):601-604.
Quick Reference
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| PMID | 15455129 |
| DOI | 10.1023/b:bebm.0000038164.49947.8c |
| Year | 2004 |
| Journal | Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine |
| Study Type | In vitro |
| Evidence Level | V |
| Sample | Human fetal lung fibroblast cultures (diploid) |
| Peptide(s) Studied | Epitalon |
Key Findings
- Epithalon induced expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) in human diploid fibroblasts at late passages
- Telomere elongation was observed in treated cells compared to untreated controls
- Treated fibroblasts were able to undergo approximately 10 additional population doublings beyond the normal Hayflick limit, suggesting a delay in replicative senescence
Study Design
Human fetal lung diploid fibroblasts were cultured to late passages approaching the Hayflick limit. Cells were treated with Epithalon peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) and monitored for telomerase activity via hTERT expression, telomere length changes, and continued proliferative capacity compared to untreated controls.
Limitations
- Single cell type tested (fetal lung fibroblasts); generalizability to other somatic cell types is unknown
- No dose-response analysis reported
- Methodological note: All authors are from the Khavinson research group (St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology). No independent replication of these findings has been published to date.
Clinical Relevance
If confirmed independently, telomerase activation in somatic cells could have significant implications for anti-aging interventions and cellular rejuvenation strategies. However, the lack of independent replication and the exclusively in vitro nature of the findings limit clinical translation at this stage.
Related
#research #in-vitro #evidence-level-V