Researchers led by Prof. An Xu of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered that a magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) called Magnetic Magnetospirillum AMB-1 (AMB-1) can extend the service life in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. The team also identified the main mechanism behind the effect: the suppression of a form of cell death known as ferroptosis.
The findings were published in Biology and medicine of free radicals.
Magnetic bacteria and healthy aging
Aging gradually reduces normal physiological function and increases the risk of many chronic diseases. Researchers have explored drugs and genetic approaches as potential anti-aging strategies, but questions remain about safety and practical clinical use.
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) offer a very different approach. These microorganisms contain specialized structures called magnetosomes and have shown good biocompatibility. They have already attracted attention for their potential uses, including drug delivery and cancer treatment, but their potential influence on aging has been the subject of far fewer studies.
To investigate that question, the researchers tested the MTB AMB-1 strain in C. elegansa model organism widely used for aging research.
Life expectancy increased by more than 43%
Worms treated with AMB-1 lived much longer. Their average lifespan increased by 43.39% and the treatment also helped preserve neurological function and intestinal integrity in the older worms.
The team then examined whether magnetosome production was important to this effect. Their results indicated that the ability to produce magnetosomes played an important role in extending lifespan.
Wild-type AMB-1 produced a stronger longevity effect than the non-magnetotactic reversible RNM-AMB-1. In contrast, the non-magnetotactic NM-AMB-1 did not extend its lifetime.
Blocking a form of cell death related to aging
Other experiments offered clues about how AMB-1 produces its effects. The bacteria reduced iron accumulation and reduced lipid peroxidation in the worms, changes that suppressed aging-related ferroptosis.
Ferroptosis is a form of cell death associated with the accumulation of iron and oxidative damage to fats within cells. Genetic analysis showed that several ferroptosis-related pathways were involved in AMB-1-mediated regulation of lifespan, including genes ftn-1, bli-3and ads-1.
According to the researchers, the findings establish a new microbial strategy for anti-aging intervention and provide fundamental evidence that could support broader use of MTB in geriatric medicine.