Study Finds Stabilizing Key Protein Reduces Frailty in Aging Mice
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A six-year study at the University at Buffalo has shown that maintaining levels of a protein called tristetraprolin (TTP) can significantly reduce frailty in elderly mice. The genetically modified mice exhibited better strength, endurance, and bone health, suggesting a potential pathway to combat age-related decline. The research team is now planning studies to see if TTP can also address neuroinflammation linked to disorders like dementia.
Facts First
- Maintaining tristetraprolin (TTP) levels reduced frailty in elderly mice, improving grip strength, walking speed, and endurance.
- The protein TTP naturally declines with age and helps control inflammation by breaking down inflammatory signals.
- Male mice showed the most significant improvement, while female mice also showed benefits.
- The research was a six-year project supported by a $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- The team plans to study if TTP can reduce neuroinflammation associated with aging disorders like dementia.
What Happened
Researchers at the University at Buffalo (UB) conducted a six-year study on elderly mice, genetically modifying them to maintain stable levels of a protein called tristetraprolin (TTP). They measured the mice's frailty using grip strength, walking speed, treadmill endurance, and overall energy levels. The findings, published in the journal Aging and Disease, showed that male mice with increased TTP levels had significantly lower frailty scores than untreated mice. Female mice also showed improvements, though the changes were smaller. Keith Kirkwood, DDS, PhD, the study's lead, explained that increased TTP resulted in better physical performance, healthier bones, and a more youthful-looking immune profile.
Why this Matters to You
By 2050, nearly one in four Americans will be age 65 or older, and age-related frailty affects approximately 15% of that non-nursing home population. This research points to a biological mechanism—the decline of TTP—that contributes to the physical challenges of aging, such as weaker immunity, chronic inflammation, and bone loss. If future therapies can safely boost TTP in humans, they could potentially help maintain strength, mobility, and independence later in life. The study's focus on reducing the low-level inflammation of 'inflammaging' may also open doors to addressing a root cause of many chronic age-related diseases.
What's Next
The research team is planning additional studies to see if enhancing TTP can reduce neuroinflammation linked to aging disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Early drug screening efforts to identify compounds that increase TTP expression have been conducted but have not yet produced clear success. Further research may be needed to translate this promising biological finding into a practical therapy for people.