Magnetic Bacteria Extend Worm Lifespan by 43% by Blocking Cell Death

Scientists at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have discovered that introducing magnetic bacteria into nematode worms can extend their lifespan by more than 43%. Led by Professor An Xu, the study demonstrates that the bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 not only increases longevity but also helps preserve neurological and intestinal health in aging subjects.

The research, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, identifies ferroptosis as the primary mechanism behind these benefits. Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death driven by iron accumulation and oxidative stress, both of which are closely associated with the aging process. The study found that AMB-1 treatment reduced iron buildup and lowered lipid peroxidation in the worms, effectively suppressing this damaging cellular pathway.

To determine whether the bacteria’s magnetic properties were essential to the outcome, the team compared wild-type AMB-1 with two other strains: RNM-AMB-1, which can reversibly lose its magnetotactic ability, and NM-AMB-1, which is permanently non-magnetotactic. The results showed that only the wild-type bacteria capable of producing magnetosomes delivered the significant lifespan extension. The non-magnetotactic variant failed to extend life, suggesting that magnetosome production is critical to the observed effects.

Genetic analysis further revealed that several genes associated with ferroptosis regulation, including ftn-1, bli-3, and ads-1, played a role in the lifespan extension mediated by AMB-1. While magnetotactic bacteria have previously been explored for applications such as drug delivery and cancer therapy, their potential impact on aging had remained largely unexplored until now.

The findings offer a new microbial strategy for anti-aging interventions and provide foundational evidence supporting the broader use of magnetotactic bacteria in geriatric medicine. As aging continues to raise risks for various chronic diseases, these results highlight a promising alternative to traditional pharmacological or genetic approaches.