A therapeutic compound consisting of
human telomerase, its catalytic
subunit hTert, or a known variant of either, and a biodegradable
nanoparticle carrier, which can be administered to cells in a
cell culture or in a living animal, is provided herein. The therapeutic compound is envisioned as a method for treating a wide variety of age-related diseases such as
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, aplastic
anemia, dyskeratosis congenita,
arteriosclerosis,
macular degeneration,
osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, diabetes type 2, and any
disease that correlates with
telomere shortening and may be corrected or ameliorated by lengthening telomeres. The therapeutic compound is also envisioned as method for potentially treating more generic problems of human aging. The
nanoparticle carrier is comprised of certain biodegradable
biocompatible polymers such as poly(
lactide-co-glycolide), poly(
lactic acid), poly(alkylene glycol), polybutylcyanoacrylate, poly(methylmethacrylate-co-
methacrylic acid), poly-
allylamine, polyanhydride, polyhydroxybutyric acid,
polycaprolactone,
lactide-
caprolactone copolymers,
polyhydroxybutyrate, polyalkylcyanoacrylates,
polyanhydrides, polyorthoester or a combination thereof. The
nanoparticle may incorporate a targeting
moiety to direct the nanoparticle to a particular
tissue type or a location within a
cell. The nanoparticle may incorporate a
plasticizer to facilitate sustained release of
telomerase such as L-
tartaric acid dimethyl ester,
triethyl citrate, or
glyceryl triacetate. A nanoparticle of the present invention can further contain a
polymer that affects the charge or
lipophilicity or hydrophilicity of the particle. Any biocompatible hydrophilic
polymer can be used for this purpose, including but not limited to, poly(
vinyl alcohol).