Researchers find way of making mice live for 20% longer – and they think it could apply to humans

Altering a gene in mice allows them to live up to 20 per cent longer and protects them against cancer, scientists have discovered. 

The study showed the genetic modification rejuvenated cells in mice and delayed the age-dependent decline in their memory and heart, liver and kidney health. 

A mutated supply of the protein KLF1, found in a range of blood cells, was given to mice by a team from the Institute of Molecular Biology at the Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan. 

Researchers now hope the results will allow for further development of mutated KLF1 and testing ‘in animals including humans’, to uncover whether similar benefits could be seen among people. 

Blood stem cell transplants are already part of the treatment for certain blood cancers, and the hope is that making this genetic alteration to the transplanted cells will reduce the risk of cancers returning. 

The Office for National Statistics predicts the life expectancy of men born in 2070 in the UK will reach the age of 85 on average, while women will be nearly 88 when they die

All humans already carry the KLF1 gene, which is expressed in a range of blood cells and regulates the production of new red blood cells. 

The researchers said that the body’s blood system is an important target for anti-ageing and anti-cancer research, so tweaked this gene in the hopes of extending the mice lifespan and health span.  

The findings, published on pre-print website, bioRxiv, found the mice given the mutated KLF1 via a single bone marrow cell transplant, ‘appeared to have significantly higher anti-cancer capability’ than normal mice. 

Those with the protein also showed ‘reduced tumour growth’ and lower rate of ‘spontaneous cancer incidence’, researchers said, at 12.5 per cent compared to 75 per cent in mice who did not undergo the procedure. 

The cancer resistance of KLF1 mice was not dependent on their age, gender or genetic background, scientists also found. 

Both young mice – aged around two months old – and older – aged 24 months old – were found to reduce the spread of cancer after being injected with melanoma cells, than mice in the control group. 

Overall, the findings have ‘demonstrated the feasibility’ of a new approach to blood cell production ‘for anti-disease and anti-ageing’, the researchers said.

The mice given the modified protein ‘typically’ lived for five months longer, an increase of around 20 per cent. 

Two-month-old mice are very roughly equivalent to 18-year-old people. 

They also remained healthier for longer, with their physical and mental performance starting to decline later than unmodified mice.

One of the scientists, Che-Kun James Shen, said: ‘So far, we have not found any negative side effects.’ 

Researchers also later injected modified cells, which show similarities to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) into the mice. 

ALS, a common form of the incurable motor neurone disease, is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. 

This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting.

Mice with the KLF1 protein were found to have significantly slower progress of the condition, researchers said.  

Responding to the researchers findings, Professor Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, a molecular biogerontologist at the University of Birmingham, said: ‘I am convinced of the life-extending properties of this mutation.’ 

Gene editing blood stem cells could also have ‘great potential as a therapy for ageing’, he added.

It comes as previous studies have also found infusions of young blood plasma could reinvigorate ageing organs and tissues, leading researchers to rush to produce and trial therapies based on the plasma. 

But while studies have found benefits for rodents, there is no evidence to date that this approach to youthfulness will help humans dodge the passage of time.