Aging regulation by gut microbiota: molecular insights from Caenorhabditis elegans.
Abstract
Aging is a complex biological process governed by conserved genetic and metabolic pathways. Increasing evidence has identified the gut microbiota as a critical modulator of host aging and healthspan. The Caenorhabditis elegans model provides a powerful system to elucidate the molecular determinants of this cross-kingdom dialogue. Recent advances in this model organism reveal that gut microbes may regulate aging through two distinct yet convergent mechanisms: (i) the production of small-molecule metabolites that modulate conserved host longevity pathways, and (ii) the presentation of structural components that trigger hormetic defense responses via immune recognition. This review synthesizes these findings, offering a framework for understanding microbial contributions to aging and highlighting potential directions for future research aimed at extending healthspan in higher organisms.
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Research summary
This review synthesizes existing knowledge on how gut microbiota metabolites and structural components influence aging pathways in C. elegans, proposing a framework for future research rather than presenting novel experimental data or a transformative breakthrough. The paper is relevant because it addresses the root causes of aging through conserved genetic and metabolic mechanisms, but its impact is limited as it is a descriptive summary of known interactions rather than a source of new, surprising findings.
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