Reduced SOX2 contributes to taste bud degeneration in accelerated aging mice

In Klotho-deficient mice, an animal model of accelerated aging, researchers examined morphological and molecular alterations in the tongue epithelium. Compared to wild-type controls, the mutant mice exhibited reduced taste bud diameter, fewer type II taste cells, and decreased expression of key taste receptors. The tongue tissue also displayed disorganized muscle structure and acinar cell atrophy within minor salivary glands. Molecular analyses demonstrated that SOX2 expression dropped in both the taste buds and tongue epithelium of the aging mice. Knocking down SOX2 decreased the expression of taste-related genes such as Keratin 8 and PLCB2, alongside neurotrophic factors BDNF and NTF3. Conversely, SOX2 overexpression upregulated PLCB2, and tests confirmed that SOX2 directly regulates the NTF3 promoter to help maintain taste buds.