Cited by 3,881Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model OrganismsPI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in cancerAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 32 of the 32 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 14 of the 41 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Rapamycin fed late in life extends lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice

Open access

Abstract

Inhibition of the TOR signalling pathway by genetic or pharmacological intervention extends lifespan in invertebrates, including yeast, nematodes and fruitflies; however, whether inhibition of mTOR signalling can extend lifespan in a mammalian species was unknown. Here we report that rapamycin, an inhibitor of the mTOR pathway, extends median and maximal lifespan of both male and female mice when fed beginning at 600 days of age. On the basis of age at 90% mortality, rapamycin led to an increase of 14% for females and 9% for males. The effect was seen at three independent test sites in genetically heterogeneous mice, chosen to avoid genotype-specific effects on disease susceptibility. Disease patterns of rapamycin-treated mice did not differ from those of control mice. In a separate study, rapamycin fed to mice beginning at 270 days of age also increased survival in both males and females, based on an interim analysis conducted near the median survival point. Rapamycin may extend lifespan by postponing death from cancer, by retarding mechanisms of ageing, or both. To our knowledge, these are the first results to demonstrate a role for mTOR signalling in the regulation of mammalian lifespan, as well as pharmacological extension of lifespan in both genders. These findings have implications for further development of interventions targeting mTOR for the treatment and prevention of age-related diseases.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/nature08221

Cites

32 of 32 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

14 of 41 cited sources checked · 8 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

Show all 27 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 21
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 14
32 of 32
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Whether inhibition of mTOR signalling can extend life in a mammalian species was unknown.

    “However, whether inhibition of mTOR signalling can extend life in a mammalian species was unknown.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The genetically heterogeneous mouse population is representative enough that effects on lifespan are not genotype-specific.

    “The effect was seen at three independent test sites in genetically heterogeneous mice, chosen to avoid genotype-specific effects on disease susceptibility.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Rapamycin's effect on lifespan is mediated by inhibition of mTOR.

    “Rapamycin reduces function of the rapamycin target kinase TOR and has anti-neoplastic activities, and genetic inhibition of TOR extends lifespan in short-lived model organisms.”
3 of 3

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Citations

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Schneider, E. L. & Miller, R. A. in Brockelhurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine (eds Tallis, R., Fillit, H. & Brockelhurst, J. C.) 193–199 (Churchill Livingstone, 1998)

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Items 501–600 of 3,881

Metadata

Authors
Harrison, D. E., Strong, R., Sharp, Z. D., Nelson, J. F., Astle, C. M., Flurkey, K., Nadon, N. L., Wilkinson, J. E., Frenkel, K., Carter, C. S., Pahor, M., Javors, M. A., Fernandez, E., & Miller, R. A.
Affiliations
  • Jackson Laboratory (US)
  • The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • University of Michigan (US)
  • NYU Langone Health (US)
  • University of Florida (US)
Corresponding author
Harrison, David E.
Venue
Nature
Published
2009-07
Volume
460
Issue
7253
Pages
392-395
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2048376025
Cited by
3,766
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 185 · 2025: 208 · 2024: 182 · 2023: 199 · 2022: 211 · 2021: 225 · 2020: 194 · 2019: 252 · 2018: 202 · 2017: 219 · 2016: 232 · 2015: 249 · 2014: 254 · 2013: 228 · 2012: 262
FWCI
74.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
  • The Mouseion at the JAXlibrary (Jackson Laboratory) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (AG 022308, AG13319, P30AG025707, AG022307, AG022303, AG025707, P30AG013319, U01AG022307, P30AG028740, U01AG022308, U01AG022303)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in cancer
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Keywords
rapamycin, mTOR signaling, TOR signaling, lifespan extension, aging, genetically heterogeneous mice, sex differences in longevity, age-related diseases, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, cancer mortality, dietary restriction, autophagy, translational regulation, survival analysis
MeSH terms
Administration, Oral, Aging, Animals, Carrier Proteins, Diet, Disease Susceptibility, Female, Longevity, Male, Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms, Time Factors, Survival Analysis, Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor), Sirolimus, Mice, TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

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