FOXO4-DRI alleviates age-related testosterone secretion insufficiency by targeting senescent Leydig cells in aged mice
Zhang C, Xie Y, Chen H, et al. (2020). Aging.
Summary
Examined FOXO4 in testosterone-producing Leydig cells. In human tissue the authors found FOXO4 expressed in Leydig cells, with nuclear localisation in older men linked to lower testosterone synthesis. In a cell model of senescence induced by hydrogen peroxide, FOXO4-DRI selectively triggered apoptosis of senescent Leydig cells. In naturally aged mice the peptide was associated with changes in the testicular microenvironment and higher testosterone secretion. A cell and mouse study; no human treatment.