FPR1 is essential for rapamycin-induced lifespan extension in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Caloric restriction and its mimetics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: mechanisms and therapeutic potential

The global increase in human life expectancy, coupled with an unprecedented rise in the prevalence of obesity, has led to a growing clinical and socioeconomic burden of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Mechanistically, the molecular and cellular hallmarks of aging are omnipresent in HFpEF and are further exacerbated by obesity and associated metabolic diseases. Conversely, weight loss strategies, particularly caloric restriction, have shown promise in improving health status in patients with HFpEF and are considered the gold standard for promoting longevity and healthspan (disease-free lifetime) in model organisms. In this review, we implicate fundamental mechanisms of aging in driving HFpEF and elucidate how caloric restriction mitigates the disease progression. Furthermore, we discuss the potential for pharmacologically mimicking the beneficial effects of caloric restriction in HFpEF using clinically approved and emerging caloric restriction mimetics. We surmise that these compounds could offer novel therapeutic avenues for HFpEF and alleviate the challenges associated with the implementation of caloric restriction and other lifestyle modifications to reduce the burden of HFpEF at a population level.

TOR2 plays the central role in rapamycin-induced lifespan extension in budding yeast

The target of rapamycin (TOR) protein, renowned for its highly conserved nature across species, plays a pivotal role in modulating signaling pathways via its multiprotein complexes, TORC1 and TORC2. The relationship between TOR and its inhibitor, rapamycin, especially in the context of lifespan extension, has earned significant attention. Unlike mammals, which have a single TOR gene, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae features two TOR paralogs: TOR1 and TOR2. Non-essential TOR1 gene has been the focus of extensive research, whereas the essential TOR2 gene has received relatively little attention in lifespan studies. In our research, we engineered a point mutation (Ser-1975-Ile) within the FKBP12-rapamycin-binding (FRB) domain of Tor2p to block rapamycin binding. Remarkably, this mutation negated the lifespan-extending benefits of rapamycin, irrespective of the TOR1 gene status. Our findings indicate that the TOR2 gene likely serves as the primary mammalian ortholog, playing a crucial role in mediating the effects of rapamycin on lifespan extension. This discovery opens a new avenue for the development of innovative anti-aging agents targeting the TOR. complex.

Senotherapeutic Peptide 14 Suppresses Th1 and M1 Human T Cell and Monocyte Subsets In Vitro

Inflammation contributes to the onset and exacerbation of numerous age-related diseases, often manifesting as a chronic condition during aging. Given that cellular senescence fosters local and systemic inflammation, senotherapeutic interventions could potentially aid in managing or even reducing inflammation. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of the senotherapeutic Peptide 14 (Pep 14) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocytes, and macrophages. We found that, despite failing to significantly influence T cell activation and proliferation, the peptide promoted a Th2/Treg gene expression and cytokine signature in PBMCs, characterized by increased expression of the transcription factors GATA3 and FOXP3, as well as the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. These observations were partially confirmed through ELISA, in which we observed increased IL-10 release by resting and PHA-stimulated PBMCs. In monocytes from the U-937 cell line, Pep 14 induced apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells and upregulated IL-10 expression. Furthermore, Pep 14 prevented LPS-induced activation and promoted an M2-like polarization in U-937-derived macrophages, evidenced by decreased expression of M1 markers and increased expression of M2 markers. We also showed that the conditioned media from Pep 14-treated macrophages enhanced fibroblast migration, indicative of a functional M2 phenotype. Taken together, our findings suggest that Pep 14 modulates immune cell function towards an anti-inflammatory and regenerative phenotype, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic intervention to alleviate immunosenescence-associated dysregulation.

Low-Molecular Weight Compounds that Extend the Chronological Lifespan of Yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Yeast is an excellent model organism for research for regulating aging and lifespan, and the studies have made many contributions to date, including identifying various factors and signaling pathways related to aging and lifespan. More than 20 years have passed since molecular biological perspectives are adopted in this research field, and intracellular factors and signal pathways that control aging and lifespan have evolutionarily conserved from yeast to mammals. Furthermore, these findings have been applied to control the aging and lifespan of various model organisms by adjustment of the nutritional environment, genetic manipulation, and drug treatment using low-molecular weight compounds. Among these, drug treatment is easier than the other methods, and research into drugs that regulate aging and lifespan is consequently expected to become more active. Chronological lifespan, a definition of yeast lifespan, refers to the survival period of a cell population under nondividing conditions. Herein, low-molecular weight compounds are summarized that extend the chronological lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, along with their intracellular functions. The low-molecular weight compounds are also discussed that extend the lifespan of other model organisms. Compounds that have so far only been studied in yeast may soon extend lifespan in other organisms.