Cytokine Gene Variants Associated With Human Longevity
Another set of potential human longevity genes, this time associated with immune system function, and from a Russian study: "The research was aimed at studying molecular genetics basis of human longevity. The genotyping of polymorphisms in genes of interleukins 6, 10, 12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha from ethnically homogeneous population (Tatars from Bashkortostan Republic) has been carried out. Distributions of allele and genotypes frequencies in different age groups including old men and long-livers have been characterized. Associations have been revealed between age and -627C>A polymorphism of IL-10 gene in men, -572G>C polymorphism of IL-6 gene and -308G>A polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene in women. As a whole the data obtained by us confirm the assumption that polymorphism of cytokine genes can influence on human lifespan." All of these items are associated with the correct functioning of the immune system, and are already targets for drug development in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system has become disarrayed and malfunctioning. We should expect to see statistically significant associations between human longevity and gene variants that improve the function and resilience of the most important bodily systems.