FOXO4-DRI
EmergingAlso known as: FOXO4 D-retro-inverso peptide · senolytic peptide
A lab-designed "D-retro-inverso" peptide built to disrupt one specific protein-protein interaction that keeps aged cells alive, making it a purpose-built senolytic rather than a naturally occurring hormone fragment. Widely cited in longevity media as the "reverse aging in mice" peptide.
Mechanism (plain language)
Competes with the transcription factor FOXO4 for binding to p53 inside senescent cells, which pushes p53 out of the nucleus and triggers apoptosis selectively in senescent (not healthy) cells in the foundational cell-biology work.
What research suggests
The foundational study reported that FOXO4-DRI selectively killed senescent cells in vitro and, in naturally aged and fast-aging mice, restored fitness, fur density, and renal function without effects on healthy tissue at the doses tested.
Uncertainties & risks
All efficacy data is in mice and cell culture; there are no published human trials, doses, or safety data. "Reverses aging in mice" headlines substantially outrun what has been shown in people, and D-retro-inverso peptides in general have limited precedent in approved human therapeutics.
Primary sources
Secondary citations for verification. Prefer the STACKD summary above for context before opening these.
- Targeted Apoptosis of Senescent Cells Restores Tissue Homeostasis in Response to Chemotoxicity and Aging
2017 · animal
FOXO4-DRI selectively cleared senescent cells and restored fitness, fur density, and renal function in aged mice.