MiR-29 Is an Important Driver of Aging-Related Phenotypes

The study investigates the role of microRNA miR-29 in aging by using mouse and monkey models to confirm its upregulation during normal and premature aging. The researchers found that miR-29 is a top microRNA driving aging-related gene expression changes. They demonstrated that reducing miR-29 levels extends lifespan in Zmpste24 -/- mice, a model of accelerated aging. Additionally, they created mice with conditional overexpression of miR-29 (miR-29TG) and observed that its overexpression induces aging-related phenotypes such as alopecia, kyphosis, osteoporosis, senescence, and early lethality. Transcriptomic analysis showed that both young miR-29TG and old wild-type mice had similar gene expression changes, with downregulation in extracellular matrix and fatty acid metabolism genes, and upregulation in inflammation-related genes, underscoring miR-29's significant role in aging.