Neuropeptides Substance P and NPY Rescue Salivary Gland Development in Aging Mouse Models | Research

The takeaway

Substance P and neuropeptide Y promoted salivary gland branching, nerve growth, and cell proliferation in klotho-deficient aging mice through FGF/FGFR/ERK signaling.

FGF/FGFR/ERK
signaling pathway through which neuropeptides rescue salivary gland development in aging

What the researchers found

Substance P and neuropeptide Y regulated embryonic salivary gland branching morphogenesis through the FGF/FGFR pathway in klotho-deficient accelerated aging mice.

Why it matters

Understanding how neuropeptides affect organ development during aging could lead to treatments for dry mouth and other age-related gland dysfunction.

The numbers in context

Klotho-deficient (Kl-/-) mice used as accelerated aging model. Both substance P and NPY effects on FGF/FGFR signaling examined.

How the study worked

Animal study examining neuropeptide effects on salivary gland branching morphogenesis in embryonic klotho-knockout mice using morphological analysis and immunostaining.

Who was studied

Embryonic klotho-deficient (accelerated aging) mice

What this study cannot tell us

Mouse model of accelerated aging may not perfectly represent normal aging. Embryonic findings may not directly apply to adult gland function.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary preclinical evidence from an accelerated aging mouse model with pathway validation.

When this study was published

Published in 2024, contributing to emerging research on neuropeptide roles in tissue regeneration and aging.

The bigger picture

This study connects neuropeptide biology to aging and organ development, showing that age-related neuronal dysfunction can impair tissue formation and that neuropeptide replacement may be a viable regenerative strategy.

Questions still open

Can neuropeptide treatment restore salivary gland function in naturally aged adults?
Would local SP/NPY delivery improve xerostomia symptoms in elderly patients?

Common questions

Can neuropeptides help with dry mouth in older adults?

This mouse study suggests they might — substance P and neuropeptide Y rescued salivary gland development that was impaired by aging-related neuronal problems.

How do aging and neuropeptides affect salivary glands?

Aging impairs the nerve signals that guide salivary gland formation. This study showed that supplementing two neuropeptides (SP and NPY) could overcome this deficit by activating FGF/FGFR growth factor pathways.

Read the original research

Neuropeptides regulate embryonic salivary gland branching through the FGF/FGFR pathway in aging klotho-deficient mice.

Aging cell, 23(12), e14329

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Toan, Nguyen Khanh; Kim, Soo-A; Ahn, Sang-Gun. (2024). Neuropeptides regulate embryonic salivary gland branching through the FGF/FGFR pathway in aging klotho-deficient mice.. Aging cell, 23(12), e14329. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.14329