Prostaglandin signals from adult germline stem cells delay somatic ageing of Caenorhabditis elegans

A moderate reduction in body temperature can induce a remarkable lifespan extension. Here we examine the link between cold temperature, germline fitness and organismal longevity. We show that low temperature reduces age-associated exhaustion of germline stem cells (GSCs) in Caenorhabditis elegans, a process modulated by thermosensory neurons. Notably, robust self-renewal of adult GSCs delays reproductive ageing and is required for extended lifespan at cold temperatures (10 °C, 15 °C). These cells release prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to induce cbs-1 expression in the intestine, increasing the somatic production of hydrogen sulfide, a gaseous signalling molecule that prolongs lifespan. Loss of adult GSCs reduces intestinal cbs-1 expression and cold-induced longevity, whereas application of exogenous PGE2 rescues these phenotypes. Importantly, tissue-specific intestinal overexpression of cbs-1 mimics cold-temperature conditions and extends longevity even at warm temperatures (25 °C). Thus, our results indicate that GSCs communicate with somatic tissues to coordinate extended reproductive capacity with longevity. Although germline removal normally extends Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan, Lee et al. show that low temperature does not extend lifespan in germline-lacking mutant worms. Cold temperatures (10 °C, 15 °C) delay germline stem cell exhaustion, releasing prostaglandin E2 hormone, which induces cbs-1 in the intestine to produce hydrogen sulfide and prolong lifespan.