Longevity & AgingLate-Life Gene Therapy Extends Mouse Lifespan 20% by Boosting Metabolism
Researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona delivered a one-time gene therapy to aging mice that extended their median lifespan by over 20%. The treatment used a viral vector to make leg muscles continuously produce FGF21, a hormone that regulates energy metabolism. Starting in middle-aged mice, the therapy reversed weight gain without reducing food intake, improved glucose tolerance, boosted mitochondrial function, reduced inflammation, and protected the heart, kidneys, liver, and muscles from age-related damage. Cognitive performance and physical fitness also improved. These results suggest that sustained FGF21 elevation could mimic the benefits of caloric restriction and exercise, offering a potential therapeutic route to healthspan and lifespan extension in humans.
