AKL Therapeutics > News > Senescence Research in APPA with INIBIC

Senescence Research in APPA with INIBIC

AKL has agreed a further collaboration with the Institute of Biomedical Research of A Coruña (INIBIC) to advance the understanding of APPA’s mechanism of action.  INIBIC is Spain’s leading biomedical research institution.

Previous research at INIBIC has shown that APPA has a significant effect on senescent cells in human chondrocytes1 – see BMJ abstract. This was a significant finding and AKL now plan to investigate this further with INBIC by evaluating the ability of APPA to modulate senescence and autophagy2 in human articular chondrocytes. This new body of work should report in 2Q 2022.

Senescence can be defined as biological ageing and refers to cells that can no longer divide. However, they remain active and alive, and may cause inflammation and damage to nearby healthy cells. There is a growing consensus that accumulation of senescent cells in tissues represents one of the key processes contributing to age-related health decline, including cancer and atherosclerosis and can contribute to the development and progression of OA.

The research will be led by Dr. Francisco Blanco, a Rheumatologist at the University Hospital of A Coruña, Spain, and Associate Professor at the University of A Coruña (UDC). He currently directs the Research Group in Rheumatology at INIBIC. His contributions have been tremendously influential in both basic and clinical research, having a profound impact mainly on understanding the pathogenesis and diagnosis of Osteoarthritis (OA). 

1 Chondrocytes are cells found in cartilage that result in its flexibility.

2 Autophagy is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells.