Recent discoveries in biomedical research are reshaping our understanding of aging—not as a slow decline isolated to individual cells, but as a process that can actively spread through the body like a signal. These findings offer new hope for treatment, but also raise important moral and spiritual questions for those of us who believe that the human body is sacred and designed for a purpose beyond this world.
For many years, scientists have known that senescent cells—those that stop dividing—release harmful substances into their environment. These secretions, known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), include inflammatory molecules that can damage nearby cells and accelerate tissue breakdown. A 2013 review explains that “SASP is the primary cause of the detrimental effects of senescent cells”.
Building on that foundation, a new study published in the journal Metabolism has identified a specific protein called HMGB1 as a key player in this process. According to the researchers from Korea University College of Medicine, when cells become stressed or aged, they release HMGB1 into their surroundings. Once outside the cell, HMGB1 takes on different chemical forms based on oxygen exposure. The study found that “extracellular ReHMGB1, but not its oxidized form, robustly induced senescence-like phenotypes across multiple cell types” including skin, lung, and muscle cells.
The reduced form of HMGB1—meaning it has been exposed to less oxygen—acts like a biological messenger of aging. It binds to receptors on other healthy cells, including a receptor called RAGE, and triggers known aging-related signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT and NF-κB. When this happens, healthy cells begin to behave like aged ones: they stop dividing, express senescence markers like p21 and p16, and begin to secrete inflammatory substances of their own. In contrast, the oxidized form of the same protein has no such effect.
Other studies have pointed to similar patterns. Research published in Bone Research this year found that senescent bone cells promote osteoarthritis through their secretions and that removing these cells or blocking their activity can reverse symptoms in mice. Another study in Frontiers in Aging notes that proteins like HMGB1 are part of a family of factors involved in age-related dysfunctions.
What does this mean in real-world terms? In animal studies, injecting the reduced form of HMGB1 into young mice caused them to show signs of aging within one week. They had increased levels of inflammatory markers, impaired muscle repair, and reduced physical performance. When older mice with injuries were treated with antibodies that block HMGB1, they healed faster and performed better in physical tests.
Human data also support these observations. Blood samples from adults aged 70 to 80 showed significantly higher levels of the reduced form of HMGB1 compared to people in their 40s. This suggests that aging is not only about time, but also about the chemical messages circulating through our bodies.
From a Catholic perspective, these developments are both fascinating and deeply meaningful. They remind us that the body is not just a shell or a machine—it is a living, interconnected system created by God and destined for eternal life. If aging can spread through chemical messengers, then interventions to block those signals may offer not just longer life, but healthier and more dignified aging. As Catholics, we are called to care for the elderly, uphold their dignity, and value their contribution to the Body of Christ.
It is important to note that these treatments are not yet available to the public. The findings are based on laboratory and animal studies, and clinical trials in humans are still needed. Yet the possibilities are already being explored. The same JAK inhibitors used to treat autoimmune diseases have been shown to block HMGB1-induced aging in lab cells. Future therapies may also involve promoting the oxidation of HMGB1, or preventing it from binding to RAGE receptors.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19, St. Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This call to reverence should guide not only how we live, but how we treat aging and illness. Scientific advances like this are not just technical achievements—they are invitations to reflect on how we honor God in every stage of life, including old age. As we learn more about how aging works, may we also grow in wisdom, compassion, and our care for the most vulnerable among us.
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