The gene of youth immunity
A group of researchers from the University of Bonn has described a gene whose activity is directly related to the effectiveness of the immune system. In the future, the results of the study may lead to an increase in life expectancy.
It is known that the CRELD1 gene plays an important role in the development of the embryo's heart. However, it remains active after birth: studies show that the protein of the same name, which it encodes, is regularly produced in almost all cells of the body. The function of this protein was previously unknown.
Scientific research involving humans often involves transcriptome analysis. It can be used to determine which genes and to what extent are active in the study participants. The data obtained is usually available to colleagues and can be used to work on completely different issues. This is exactly what Anna Aschenbrenner and her colleagues did. They combined transcriptome analysis data from three different studies. This provided information about the activity of genetic material, including the CRELD1 gene, in 4,500 subjects. In addition, information about certain immunological parameters, including the number of different immune cells in the blood, was also collected from these participants.
CRELD1 is less active in some people
When analyzing the available information, the researchers found an amazing correlation: among the 4,500 participants were those who had the CRELD1 gene for some reason significantly less active, and very few T-lymphocytes were found in their blood.
It is known that with age, the activity of many genes in blood cells changes in a characteristic way, which is a sign of immunological aging. It was these changes that the researchers found among people with low activity of the CRELD1 gene.
The researchers additionally tested this relationship in mice. The results showed that disabling the Creld1 gene was indeed the cause of the loss of immune cells. T-lymphocytes deprived of the Creld1 gene lose their ability to reproduce and die earlier.
Similar changes are observed in people with the "old" immune system. This phenomenon is called immunosenescence and is mainly observed in the elderly. Such people are much more susceptible to infections, and possibly to age-related diseases (for example, cancer or Alzheimer's disease).
Centenarians with a young immune system
Some people's immune systems age earlier than others. For example, there are centenarians who are immunologically younger than their age by several decades. In others, the strength of the body's defense system against diseases significantly weakens already in middle age. The researchers hope that the discovery of the role of the CRELD1 gene will help to better understand the causes of immunological aging. Their long–term goal is to slow down or completely stop this process. This would help to significantly reduce the risk of diseases in the elderly and achieve a longer period of healthy old age.
Article by L.Bonaguro et al. CRELD1 modulates homeostasis of the immune system in mice and humans published in the journal Nature Immunology.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Universität Bonn: Genetic disposition protects immune system from aging.