Scientists manage to prolong vitality in mice with a single protein

Aging brings with it a gradual loss of strength, endurance, and mental acuity. In the brain, neurons gradually deteriorate and lose connections, while diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's become more common. It's a consequence of aging that worsens our quality of life, but what if there were a way to somehow stop or evade this process? Who wouldn't want to have the same agility, strength, and mental acuity even in old age? Now, an international study led by the UAB Institute of Neurosciences (INc-UAB) has discovered that increasing levels of the Klotho protein in mice extends lifespan and improves physical and cognitive health with age.

This research was led by Professor Miguel Chillon of the Institute of Neurosciences at the University of Barcelona (Spain), and his discovery sheds light on how, in the future, people will not only be able to live longer, but also stay healthier and fitter in old age. It all stems from a protein called Klotho. The study, published in the journal Molecular Therapy, shows that increasing levels of the secreted form of the Klotho protein (s-KL) can slow aging in mice.

In an experiment that seems straight out of the future, scientists used gene therapy vectors to stimulate young mice to produce a protein known as s-KL. The goal: to slow the body's natural wear and tear. The result? By the time they reached 24 months—an age that, in human terms, would be around 70 years— the treated mice retained a surprising amount of vitality : stronger muscles, denser bones, and more alert brains than their untreated counterparts. A promising finding in the quest for healthier aging.

"We have been working with the Klotho protein for some time due to its therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we sought to determine whether s-KL could also be beneficial for healthy aging by analyzing a wide range of factors," says Miguel Chillón, from the Institute of Neurosciences at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UB).

Klotho first appeared in scientific journals in the late 1990s , when various experiments showed that having a deficiency of this particular protein caused mice to look older and more fragile at a very early age.

One of the interesting aspects of the experiment was not only that the effects were evident in all the mice, but that there were differences between males and females. In females, the effects were even more intense, with greater improvements in bone structure seen, especially when treated at a younger age. These sex-based differences could be related to the way men's and women's bodies process viral vectors or express the s-KL protein, the researchers say.

Furthermore, mice treated at an older age showed more pronounced improvements than those treated at 6 months, suggesting that middle age may be the best time of life to initiate this type of treatment. Aside from physical improvements, improvements were also noticeable at the cognitive level. The scientists observed an increase in indicators of adult neurogenesis, the process by which the brain continues to create new neurons (even as we age). But that wasn't all: they also found signs that the brain's immune cells were acting in a more balanced manner, which could be key to clearing cellular waste and keeping chronic inflammation at bay, one of the factors most closely linked to brain deterioration that comes with age.

If scientists can find a viable delivery method, the s-KL protein could significantly contribute to improving people's quality of life and achieving a healthier society. We hope to reach old age as strong, alert, and healthy as possible.

Aging brings with it a gradual loss of strength, endurance, and mental acuity. In the brain, neurons gradually deteriorate and lose connections, while diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's become more common. It's a consequence of aging that worsens our quality of life, but what if there were a way to somehow stop or evade this process? Who wouldn't want to have the same agility, strength, and mental acuity even in old age? Now, an international study led by the UAB Institute of Neurosciences (INc-UAB) has discovered that increasing levels of the Klotho protein in mice extends lifespan and improves physical and cognitive health with age.