Golden needle mouse may be hiding the secret of healthy longevity

Scientists have identified three key features that allow these rodents to age slowly. Firstly, needle mice retain the ability to regenerate their skin without scarring even in old age. Secondly, their thymus (thymus gland), responsible for the production of immune cells, remains functionally active throughout life. In most vertebrates, including humans, the thymus degenerates very quickly, which weakens the immune system with age. Finally, there is no cognitive decline in old needle mice — their memory and learning ability remain at a high level.

The researchers paid special attention to the mechanism of combating chronic inflammation associated with aging (the so-called inflammaging). By studying the adipose tissue of these mice, the scientists found a high activity of the protein clusterin. This protein helps the body get rid of improperly folded proteins, preventing their toxic effects. It is noteworthy that centenarians over the age of 100 also have an increased concentration of clusterin.During the experiment, the scientists injected clusterin into ordinary laboratory mice.

The results were impressive: the subjects’ decrease in motor activity slowed down, the condition of internal organs improved, and the level of systemic inflammation decreased. A similar protective effect was also observed when the protein was exposed to human leukocytes. This suggests that clusterin is one of the main regulators of aging resistance.

The unusual longevity of needle-nosed mice is also explained by evolutionary factors. Unlike most of their relatives, they are diurnal, which allows them to avoid competition and nocturnal predators. They are resistant to toxins, are able to survive prolonged starvation, and are born more developed than other mice. These adaptations allow them to live to an age when natural selection can consolidate the signs of healthy aging and pass them on to the next generations.

Scientists believe that the metabolic pathways that ensure resistance to aging are embedded in the human body, but for some reason they are in a “dormant” state. The discovery of clusterin’s role gives hope for the creation of a new generation of drugs capable of activating these mechanisms and slowing down degenerative processes in humans.