Researchers from the University of Rochester have achieved a significant breakthrough in extending the lifespan and improving the health of mice by transferring a gene responsible for producing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) from naked mole rats. Naked mole rats are known for their exceptional longevity and resistance to age-related diseases, including cancer, and the researchers aimed to understand the mechanisms behind these unique traits.
The team genetically modified a mouse model to produce the naked mole rat version of the hyaluronan synthase 2 gene, which produces HMW-HA. The mice with the modified gene showed better protection against spontaneous tumors and chemically induced skin cancer. They also experienced improved overall health and lived longer compared to regular mice. As the mice with the modified gene aged, they showed reduced inflammation and maintained a healthier gut.
The researchers believe that the beneficial effects of HMW-HA are due to its ability to directly regulate the immune system. The findings could pave the way for exploring how HMW-HA can be used to improve lifespan and reduce inflammation-related diseases in humans.
“It took us 10 years from the discovery of HMW-HA in the naked mole rat to showing that HMW-HA improves health in mice,” said Vera Gorbunova, the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of biology and medicine at Rochester. “Our next goal is to transfer this benefit to humans.”
The researchers plan to achieve this by either slowing down the degradation of HMW-HA or enhancing its synthesis. They have already identified molecules that can slow down hyaluronan degradation and are currently testing them in pre-clinical trials.
The successful transfer of the longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice provides a proof of principle that unique longevity mechanisms found in long-lived species can be applied to improve the lifespans of other mammals, including humans.
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in the journal Nature. The researchers hope that their findings will be the first step towards harnessing longevity adaptations from long-lived species to benefit human longevity and health.
Further research will be required to fully understand the mechanisms behind HMW-HA’s beneficial effects and its potential application in humans. However, this breakthrough holds promise for unlocking the secrets of aging and potentially extending human lifespan.