Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Buck Institute for Research on Aging

Unity Biotechnology, Inc.

Johns Hopkins University

Marco Demaria

Alain Philippe Vasserot

Nathaniel E David

Judith Campisi

Remi-Martin Laberge

James L Kirkland

Tamar Tchkonia

Yi Zhu

Jan M A Van Deursen

Darren J Baker

Bennett G Childs

Albert Davalos

Chaekyu Kim

Okhee Jeon

Jan MA Van Deursen

This invention establishes a new paradigm for treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by eliminating senescent cells that reside in or around the site of the disease pathophysiology. Exposure of test subjects to the herbicide paraquat (PQ) increases the risk for developing Parkinson's disease. The data in this disclosure show that PQ induces a senescence arrest and SASP in astrocytes, in culture and in vivo in mice, and senescent cell markers were present in astrocytes in midbrain tissue from PD patients. In a transgenic mouse model, senescent cell ablation protected against PQ-induced PD-like neuropathology. Removal of senescent cells from affected sites using small molecule agents that specifically target senescent cells can help prevent or ameliorate signs and symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of a senescence-associated ocular disease or disorder using a Bcl-xL selective inhibitor

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Marco Demaria