Summary: In naturally aging C57BL/6 mice, starting mianserin at an age roughly equivalent to about 65 human years produced a ~17.5% increase in median lifespan. Proposed mechanism: ameliorating calcium homeostasis. Notable limitation: Small sample size, although there was also a substantial increase in median lifespan (27.89%) in progeroid mice with a larger sample size.
Ameliorating calcium homeostasis improves longevity and healthspan in progeroid and naturally aged mice
Weifang Xiang et al. Nat Commun. 2026.
Abstract
Cellular calcium (Ca2+)-regulating systems are compromised during aging-related disorders. Here, we show that disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis leads to the cytoplasmic accumulation of Ca2+ binding protein S100A6, which promotes Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and natural aging. S100A6 recruits CacyBP to facilitate the ubiquitination and degradation of PARP1, leading to DNA damage and the formation of cytoplasmic chromatin fragments (CCF), activing cGAS-STING-NF-κB pathway and the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. Mianserin (MIA), a tetracyclic antidepressant, attenuates senescence in cells derived from HGPS patients and naturally aging humans by antagonizing serotonin receptors HTR2B/2 C to lower Ca2+ concentrations. MIA also improves a range of aging phenotypes and significantly extends the lifespan of both LmnaG609G/G609G progeroid and naturally aging mice. Together, our findings uncover the mechanism of Ca2+ homeostasis disruption during premature and natural aging, and suggest MIA as a potential therapeutic strategy to extend healthy lifespan by augmenting Ca2+ homeostasis.
[PMID: 42251040]