Vitamin B12 is a well-known micronutrient vital for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Recently, Dr. Manuel Serrano and his team at IRB Barcelona have highlighted its additional role in cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration, as reported in Nature Metabolism.
Their research focused on cellular reprogramming, mimicking early tissue repair stages. They discovered that this process in mice requires substantial amounts of vitamin B12. Surprisingly, even with B12 naturally abundant in mouse diets, its supplementation significantly boosted reprogramming efficiency, indicating its critical role.
The study also explored ulcerative colitis, finding similarities between repair-initiating intestinal cells and reprogramming processes, benefiting from vitamin B12 supplementation. This suggests potential therapeutic benefits for patients with intestinal bowel diseases through improved nutrition.
Dr. Manuel Serrano underscores the findings’ significance for regenerative medicine, emphasizing vitamin B12’s role in enhancing cellular reprogramming and tissue repair.
The researchers delved into cellular reprogramming’s metabolic demands, identifying vitamin B12 as crucial for methylation reactions vital in DNA function during reprogramming and repair. Insufficient B12 led to significant epigenetic changes, impacting gene function. Supplementation corrected this, enhancing gene fidelity and reprogramming efficiency.
Dr Marta Kovatcheva, the study’s lead author and future head of a Milan-based laboratory at IFOM, highlights vitamin B12’s corrective role in maintaining gene function fidelity during reprogramming.
In collaboration with Dr Rosa Lamuela-Raventós and Dr Ramon Estruch, a separate study by Dr Serrano’s team explored vitamin B12’s anti-inflammatory potential. Higher blood B12 levels correlated with lower inflammatory markers in humans and aged mice, suggesting B12’s role in reducing inflammation and its potential health benefits.
These findings underscore vitamin B12’s multifaceted role—from cellular reprogramming facilitation to anti-inflammatory action—promising advancements in regenerative medicine and potential therapeutic strategies for inflammatory conditions.
More information: Marta Kovatcheva et al, Vitamin B12 is a limiting factor for induced cellular plasticity and tissue repair, Nature Metabolism. DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00916-6
Journal information: Nature Metabolism Provided by IRB Barcelona – Institute for Research in Biomedicine
