Anti-aging effect of TRF2 inhibition in skeletal myofibers

Abstract Aged female mice lacking the Terf2 gene, encoding the telomeric protective factor TRF2, in their skeletal myofibers exhibit a younger muscle phenotype with lack of ongoing or past regeneration and myofiber atrophy, preserved muscle strength, and moderate prolonged lifespan. Since this is accompanied by a slight pro-oxidant effect without telomere deprotection, we propose that the age-related TRF2 downregulation triggers a mito-hormetic response with beneficial effect in the skeletal muscle.