Naked mole rats, despite their unappealing appearance, are garnering attention in aging research due to their remarkable biology. These small rodents can live for decades—up to 41 years—while exhibiting rare occurrences of cancer and resisting various age-related diseases. Researchers at the University of Rochester have identified a significant biological mechanism linked to their longevity, involving high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA).
In a study published in Nature in 2023, scientists successfully transferred a gene associated with HMW-HA production from naked mole rats to mice. This genetic modification resulted in a 4.4 percent increase in median lifespan for the mice, alongside notable health improvements. The study, led by Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov, suggests that certain longevity traits from long-lived species may be applicable to other mammals.
HMW-HA is present in much higher concentrations in naked mole rats than in other mammals and is believed to contribute to their resistance to cancer and inflammation. When researchers engineered mice to produce the naked mole rat version of the hyaluronan synthase 2 gene, the modified mice exhibited increased HMW-HA levels and a lower incidence of tumors, alongside overall enhanced health and reduced inflammation.
The implications of this research extend beyond mice. Gorbunova and Seluanov aim to explore methods for transferring these benefits to humans, potentially by slowing down the degradation of HMW-HA or increasing its production. While the median lifespan increase is modest, the study represents a significant advancement in understanding how longevity mechanisms can be adapted across species.
Recent findings, including a 2025 study on the role of a protein called cGAS in DNA repair, further emphasize the multifaceted nature of naked mole rat longevity. Collectively, these studies highlight the potential for leveraging biological adaptations from long-lived species to enhance human healthspan and combat age-related diseases.