Can aging be slowed? Scientists discover a surprising protein

Does this key protein hold the secret to slowing aging?

Want to slow the aging process? Scientists may have found a clue in a natural protein called tristetraprolin (TTP). A groundbreaking study at the University at Buffalo, led by Dr. Keith Kirkwood, senior associate dean for research and Centennial Endowed Chair in the Department of Oral Biology, explored whether boosting this protein could reduce frailty and improve overall health in elderly mice.

The United States is aging rapidly. By 2050, nearly one in four Americans will be over 65, many living into their 90s and beyond. While medical advances have extended life expectancy, the quality of those extra years is a growing concern. Chronic inflammation and declining immunity, sometimes called “inflammaging,” often lead to arthritis, fatigue, weaker bones, and other age-related challenges.

Dr. Kirkwood and his team, including geriatric experts Dr. Bruce Troen and Dr. Perry Blackshear, focused on TTP, an RNA-binding protein that naturally limits inflammation. As we age, TTP levels drop, increasing inflammation in the body. To test the effect, the researchers genetically enhanced TTP in a group of elderly mice. The results? Mice with higher TTP levels showed better grip strength, improved walking and endurance, healthier bones, and a more youthful immune profile compared to control mice.

Interestingly, male mice benefited slightly more than females, likely due to differences in body size and estrogen levels. Still, both sexes experienced notable improvements in physical performance and bone health, suggesting that TTP plays a significant role in countering age-related frailty.

“These findings highlight a natural mechanism that could potentially slow the negative effects of aging,” said Dr. Kirkwood, who has spent decades studying oral inflammation, obesity, and aging in myeloid cells. “While human trials are still far off, understanding proteins like TTP could help scientists develop future therapies for age-related decline.”

The research, funded by a $2.1 million NIH grant and published in Aging and Disease (January 2026), involved rigorous testing of mice aged 22 months—roughly equivalent to humans in their 70s or 80s. Researchers assessed grip strength, gait speed, treadmill endurance, and energy levels, and the improvements in the TTP-enhanced mice were clear and measurable.

Looking ahead, Dr. Kirkwood plans to study how TTP may also affect neuroinflammation linked to cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. While the translation from mice to humans will take time, this study opens an exciting door to potential anti-aging interventions that target inflammation at the molecular level.

Could a naturally occurring protein hold the key to healthier, stronger aging? The UB study suggests it might—and researchers are eager to explore its potential in humans.

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