https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/12/12/national/science-health/aging-vaccine/ [japantimes] It looks like you're using an ad blocker. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. Thank you for supporting our journalism. * * PRINT SUBSCRIBERS | * SUBSCRIBE | * Login * My Account * * * weather icon 11 CLEAR TOKYO (4 a.m.) TODAY'S PRINT EDITION The Japan Times The Japan Times * Login * SUBSCRIBE * My Account * PRINT SUBSCRIBERS [?] * (FREE ARTICLE) * * MENU * Search * News * Opinion * Life * Community * Culture * Sports * City Guide * Support * Search Search [ ] [Search] * National * Asia Pacific * Business * World * Reference * Multimedia * News + National + World + Business + Asia Pacific + Reference + Columns + Multimedia * Opinion + Editorials + Commentary + Cartoons * Life + Travel + Digital + Food & Drink + Environment + Style & Design + Language + Lifestyle + People + Columns + Multimedia * Community + Voices + Issues + Our Lives + Event listings + How-tos + Columns * Culture + Film + Music + Art + Stage + Events + Festivals + Books + TV + Columns + Multimedia * Sports + Rugby + Baseball + Soccer + Basketball + Sumo + Figure Skating + Tennis + More Sports + Columns + Multimedia * City Guide + Restaurants + Places * Support + About us + Faqs National / Science & Health Japanese scientists develop vaccine to eliminate cells behind aging Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https:// www.enable-javascript.com/ * * Jiji * * * SHARE * Dec 12, 2021 A Japanese research team said it developed a vaccine to remove so-called zombie cells that accumulate with age and damage nearby cells, causing aging-related diseases including arterial stiffening. The team, including Juntendo University professor Toru Minamino, confirmed that mice administered with the vaccine showed decreases in the zombie cells, medically known as senescent cells, and in areas affected by arterial stiffening. "We can expect that (the vaccine) will be applied to the treatment of arterial stiffening, diabetes and other aging-related diseases," Minamino said. The results of the team's research were published in the online version of the journal Nature Aging on Friday. Senescent cells refer to those that have stopped dividing but do not die. They damage nearby healthy cells by releasing chemicals that cause inflammation. The team identified a protein found in senescent cells in humans and mice and created a peptide vaccine based on an amino acid that constitutes the protein. The vaccine enables the body to create antibodies that attach themselves to senescent cells, which are removed by white blood cells that adhere to the antibodies. When the team administered the vaccine to mice with arterial stiffening, many accumulated senescent cells were removed and areas affected by the disease shrank. When administered to aged mice, their frailty progression was slower than that of unvaccinated mice, according to the team. Many of the existing drugs to remove senescent cells are used as anti-cancer agents and may cause negative side effects. Side effects from the new vaccine were fewer, while its efficacy lasted longer, the team said. * * * In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. SUBSCRIBE NOW PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE) * Juntendo University campus in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward | KYODO KEYWORDS health, aging, Juntendo University With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ * WHAT'S TRENDING * EDITORS' PICKS * After a month of shifting rules, who can enter Japan? 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