Recent research conducted by Washington State University has identified a nervous system protein called NPR-8 in the nematode C. elegans that plays a crucial role in regulating collagen production and influencing lifespan. Historically, it was believed that increased temperatures shortened lifespan due to faster metabolic rates. However, this study shows that worms lacking NPR-8 express more collagen at warmer temperatures, leading to greater stress resistance, fewer age-related skin wrinkles, and a longer overall lifespan. This suggests a more active role of the nervous system in longevity than previously thought.
Mutant worms at 25°C (77°F) exhibited enhanced collagen expression and lived longer, while worms reintroduced with NPR-8 reverted to a shorter lifespan and increased wrinkling. The research indicates that the increase in collagen may improve resistance to stressors like heat. These findings present potential implications for human longevity amid climate change, as the underlying mechanisms of collagen regulation could be targeted to mitigate aging effects in rising temperatures. Continued exploration of NPR-8’s role might pave the way for interventions that could extend human lifespan, according to senior author Yiyong Liu. The study is published in the journal Aging Cell.
