Looking for immunological risk genotypes
C. Caruso, A. Aquino, G. Candore, L. Scola, G. Colonna-Romano, D. Lio
Gruppo di Studio sull'Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, Corso Tukory 211, 90134 Palermo, ITALY
Some people live in good health to great ages while others die
relatively young, though we do not understand why this is so. However
several studies show that longevity may be correlated with optimal
functioning of the immune system. In fact, both longitudinal and
cross-sectional studies performed in the last years have indicated that
several functional markers of immune system may be used either as
markers of successful ageing or conversely as markers of unsuccessful
ageing. In these kinds of studies, the question that has to be asked is
whether people live longer because of “good” immune
function, or do they possess good immune function because other factors
have enabled them to survive longer. Thus, to better understand the
role of immune system in longevity, we have to search for
immunogenetic markers of longevity. In fact, whether immune system
plays a key role in the attainment of successful ageing, then genetic
determinants of longevity should reside in those polymorphisms for the
immune system genes that regulate immune responses. Thus, these
polymorphic genes could be markers of successful ageing or conversely
of unsuccessful ageing. Further steps should include studies able to
relate immunological and immunogenetic markers. For example, concerning
the change in T cell subpopulations assessed as markers of unsuccessful
ageing, the matter should be to assess how much these changes depend
on the immunogenetic background and how much depend on the natural
history of the individual, i.e. on an extra burden of antigenic load
such as chronic infections. So we have analysed in our group of old and
old oldest people, typed for IL-10 and IFN-gamma genotypes, previously
demonstrated to be associated to longevity, the relationship between
high or low producer genotypes and lymphocyte subpopulations. The
results suggest that cytokine genotypes may be involved in the
subpopulation dynamics in old age.
Key words:
Lymphocyte, IL-10, IFN-gamma, marker
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