2023-09-06 04:00:35
A research team at the University of Rochester has reported that, as a result of transplanting a longevity-related gene from the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) that lives underground into mice, their health status improved and their lifespan extended.
Naked mole rats are 10-13 cm long rodents that basically live underground. It is said to live up to 40 years, nearly 10 times longer than rodents of the same size. Unlike other animals, they rarely suffer from diseases such as neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and cancer that occur with aging.
The research team has been studying the mechanisms by which naked mole rats protect themselves from aging and disease for decades. In studies so far, naked mole rats have been reported to have higher amounts of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid HMW-HA than other mammals.
According to the research team, compared to other mice or humans, naked mole rats accumulate regarding 10 times more HMW-HA in their bodies. A previous study showed that removal of HMW-HA from naked mole rat cells increased the risk of developing cancer cells.
The research team speculated that HMW-HA holds the key to the longevity of naked mole rats. Accordingly, the gene for hyaluronic acid synthetase, a gene involved in HMW-HA production, was transplanted from naked mole rats to mice.
Transgenic mice showed elevated levels of HMW-HA and lived an average of 4.4% longer than normal mice. In addition, it was reported that transgenic mice had a lower incidence of cancer, decreased inflammation due to aging, and improved intestinal barrier function. According to the research team, HMW-HA in transgenic mice directly modulated the mouse immune system and protected cells from oxidative damage. As a result, it is suggested that the rat’s lifespan may have been extended. The results show that the naked mole rat longevity gene can be transplanted into other animals.
The research team reports that it took 10 years from the discovery of a high amount of HMW-HA in naked mole rats to obtaining the results of this mouse experiment, and that the next goal is to apply the results of this experiment to humans. According to the research team, when applying the naked mole rat longevity gene to humans, there are two options: delaying HMW-HA degradation according to age or enhancing HMW-HA synthesis in the body. The research team has already identified a molecule that delays the breakdown of hyaluronic acid and is testing it in preclinical trials. Related information this placecan be found in
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#Mice #Transplanted #Longevity #Genes #Extend #Lifespan
