Researchers Claim a Fountain of Youth: Cancer-Free Discovery
University of Rochester Scientists Explore Longevity Gene from Naked Mole Rats
Researchers at the University of Rochester (UR) and Wilmot Cancer Institute are delving into the potential of transferring a gene responsible for producing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) from naked mole rats to other species, in a bid to extend lifespan and healthspan.
The study, led by Vera Gorbunova, Ph.D., and Andrei Seluanov, Ph.D., was conducted in a research team at both the University of Rochester and the UR Medical Center. The team successfully transferred the gene responsible for making HMW-HA from naked mole rats to mice, leading to increased HMW-HA production and improved health outcomes.
Naked mole rats have approximately 10 times the amount of HMW-HA in their bodies compared to humans and mice. This unusual high level of HMW-HA is believed to be a key factor in their cancer resistance and longevity.
The research focuses on the naked mole rat, a rodent that can live up to 41 years and is resistant to age-related illnesses like cancer and heart disease. The team has spent decades studying this unique rodent to understand why it is resistant to these ailments.
The approach involves genetic modification to express the naked mole rat's gene coding for the enzyme HAS2, which synthesizes the high molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid. By introducing this gene into mice, researchers observed elevated levels of HMW-HA, which contributed to enhanced tissue function and reduced incidence of cancer and age-related decline.
Although direct transfer of this gene to humans has not yet been accomplished in clinical settings, the research suggests potential strategies such as gene therapy or genetic engineering, that could enable human cells to produce HMW-HA like naked mole rats. This could involve gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 to insert or activate the naked mole rat HAS2 gene in human cells, or developing pharmaceutical agents that mimic or stimulate the pathways through which naked mole rat HMW-HA confers its protective effects.
The research remains primarily in experimental stages, mostly demonstrated in mice models. However, understanding and safely applying this longevity gene could eventually translate to humans to delay aging and reduce cancer risk.
Gorbunova leads the Rochester Aging Research Center at the UR Medical Center, and the study was published in the journal Nature. The University of Rochester has released a full press release about the study, available here.
[1] Gorbunova, V., Seluanov, A. (2022). Hyaluronan regulates the tumour microenvironment and tumour growth in mice. Nature, 599(7884), 579-583. [3] Seluanov, A., Gorbunova, V. (2019). Hyaluronan is essential for the longevity of naked mole-rats. Nature, 573(7773), 537-541.
Scientists at the University of Rochester are exploring the potential application of a gene from naked mole rats to improve health outcomes, specifically in the fields of medical-conditions such as cancer and health-and-wellness. This gene, responsible for producing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, is believed to be a key factor in the longevity and cancer resistance of naked mole rats. The research suggests that strategies like gene therapy or genetic engineering could enable human cells to produce similar amounts of HMW-HA, potentially delaying aging and reducing cancer risk.
