ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In a groundbreaking study that could redefine the future of aging research, scientists at the University of Rochester have successfully transferred a longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice. The result is a significant improvement in health and a notable extension of the mice’s lifespan. Scientists borrowed a longevity secret from naked mole rats and used it to make mice healthier and live longer.
Naked mole rats have long fascinated the scientific community. Despite their small size, these rodents can live up to 41 years—nearly ten times longer than similar-sized mammals—while remaining remarkably resistant to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related inflammation.
The secret to their resilience lies in a substance called high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA)*. Naked mole rats possess approximately ten times more of this protective molecule than humans or mice.
In a study published in the journal Nature, a research team led by Professors Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov genetically engineered mice to carry the naked mole rat’s version of the *hyaluronan synthase 2 gene. This specific gene is responsible for producing the protein that generates HMW-HA.
The results were transformative. The genetically modified mice showed:
- Increased Lifespan: An approximate 4.4% increase in median lifespan.
- Cancer Resistance: Better protection against both spontaneous tumors and chemically induced skin cancer.
- Reduced Inflammation: Lower levels of “inflammaging”—the chronic inflammation associated with growing older.
- Improved Vitality: Enhanced gut health and overall physical maintenance during the aging process.
“Our study provides a proof of principle that unique longevity mechanisms that evolved in long-lived mammalian species can be exported to improve the lifespans of other mammals,” said Vera Gorbunova, the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of biology and medicine at Rochester.
While the increase in lifespan was modest, the implications are vast. This research proves that biological secrets from one species can be successfully “re-programmed” into another, opening doors for future therapies that could one day use HMW-HA to treat inflammation and extend healthy years in humans.
Source: ScienceDaily.com
