Fibroblast growth factor 21 prolongs lifespan and improves stress tolerance in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), an FGF family member, is an atypical hormone and pro-longevity factor. To better understand of the effects of exogenous administration of FGF21 on lifespan and stress tolerance, and the underlying molecular basis, we used the silkworm, , as an experimental animal...

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Published inAnnals of translational medicine Vol. 8; no. 5; p. 220
Main Authors Song, Jiang-Bo, Hao, Kai-Ge, Chen, Xin, Zhang, Yan-Hua, Cheng, Zi-Lin, Mao, Shuang, Tang, Yong-Xi, Tong, Xiao-Ling, Dai, Fang-Yin
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published China AME Publishing Company 01.03.2020
Subjects
Original
stress tolerance
Bombyx mori
fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21)
oxidation resistance
lifespan
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Summary:Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), an FGF family member, is an atypical hormone and pro-longevity factor. To better understand of the effects of exogenous administration of FGF21 on lifespan and stress tolerance, and the underlying molecular basis, we used the silkworm, , as an experimental animal model to evaluate FGF21's pharmaceutical effects. Lifespan was significantly prolonged in female silkworms with FGF21 replenishment, whereas no effect was observed in the male silkworms. FGF21 replenishment also significantly improved the activity of antioxidant systems such as glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Moreover, FGF21 was found to play a critical role in enhancing stress resistance, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation tolerance and thermotolerance. Furthermore, , , and sirtuins were activated by FGF21 and may be responsible for the prolonged lifespan and enhanced antioxidant activity observed in silkworms. Collectively, the results suggest the molecular pathways underlying of FGF21-induced longevity and stress tolerance, and support the use of silkworms as a promising experimental animal model for evaluating the pharmaceutical effects of small molecules.
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These authors contributed equally to this work.
Contributions: (I) Conception and design: FY Dai, XL Tong; (II) Administrative support: FY Dai, XL Tong; (III) Provision of study materials or patients: FY Dai; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: JB Song, KG Hao, YX Tang, ZL Cheng, S Mao; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: JB Song, KG Hao, X Chen, YH Zhang, ZL Cheng, S Mao; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.
ISSN:2305-5839
2305-5839
DOI:10.21037/atm.2020.01.18