Mini circle Gene Therapy Clinic

The Minicircle Gene Therapy Clinic is running clinical trials for HIV, ALS, and muscular dystrophy in a city named Próspera on the Caribbean island of Roatan. The company is currently exploring therapies in two key areas:

Klotho gene therapy

Klotho gene therapy focuses on increasing the expression of the Klotho gene, which is associated with various anti-aging effects and improved cognitive function. The Klotho gene produces a protein that is primarily expressed in the kidneys and brain. This protein acts as a co-receptor for fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and plays a critical role in regulating aging processes, including calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Anti-Aging Effects: The Klotho protein has been shwn to extend lifespan in animal models. It acts by reducing oxidative stress, modulating insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways, and inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway, which is involved in aging. Neuroprotective Effects: In the brain, Klotho protein has neuroprotective properties, enhancing cognitive function and protecting against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. It does so by reducing the accumulation of harmful proteins, decreasing oxidative damage, and promoting neural repair mechanisms.

Follistatin gene therapy

Follistatin gene therapy involves increasing the expression of the follistatin gene, which encodes a protein that acts as a potent antagonist to myostatin and other members of the TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily. Follistatin is a naturally occurring protein in the body that binds to and inhibits the activity of myostatin (a negative regulator of muscle growth) and other TGF-β family proteins. By inhibiting myostatin, follistatin promotes muscle growth and regeneration, making it a key target for therapies aimed at muscle wasting disease.

Myostatin is a protein that limits muscle growth. Follistatin binds to myostatin, preventing it from interacting with its receptor (activin receptors) on muscle cells. This blockade leads to increased muscle mass and strength. Beyond muscle growth, follistatin also influences other tissues by modulating TGF-β signaling, which is involved in tissue repair, fibrosis, and inflammation.