The anti-aging effect of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor in Drosophila midgut

• Published in: Aging (Albany, NY.) Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 2005 - 2025
• Main Authors: Park, Joung-Sun, Na, Hyun-Jin, Kim, Yung-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Impact Journals 07.02.2024
• Subjects: Research Paper; anti-aging; vitamin D receptor; intestinal stem cell; Drosophila; vitamin D
• ISSN: 1945-4589; 1945-4589
• DOI: 10.18632/aging.205518

Adult stem cells are pivotal for maintaining tissue homeostasis, and their functional decline is linked to aging and its associated diseases, influenced by the niche cells' environment. Age- and cancer-related reduction of vitamin D and its receptor levels are well documented in human clinical studies. However, the mechanisms through which the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway contributes to anti-aging and extends life expectancy are not well understood. In this study, we aimed to determine the protective role of the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway in differentiated enterocytes (ECs) during intestinal stem cell (ISC) aging. By utilizing a well- established midgut model for stem cell aging biology, we revealed that vitamin D receptor knockdown in ECs induced ISC proliferation, EC death, ISC aging, and enteroendocrine cell differentiation. Additionally, age- and oxidative stress-induced increases in ISC proliferation and centrosome amplification were reduced by vitamin D treatment. Our findings suggest a direct evidence of the anti-aging role of the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying healthy aging in .