The scientific magazine Aging Cellspecialized in aging researchpublished the results of a new study on longevityconducted by a group of scientists at the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute in Durham, North Carolina.
The study was led by Virginia Byers Kraus, professor of medicine, orthopedic surgery, pathology and professor at Duke University. Kraus has more than 30 years of continuous experience as a rheumatologist and is the author of multiple papers on translational musculoskeletal, focused on osteoarthritis, the most common of all diseases. arthritis.
Within the framework of his collaboration with the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute (DMPI), this time he focused on the search for indicators of future survival of older adults.
They performed blood tests on 1,271 people, all over 71 years old, and there was a pattern in all the results.
«Two markers of longevity were discovered in the blood: they are small strands of RNAknown as ‘piARN’whose presence can accurately predict the probability of survival of older adults in the next two years,» Kraus said.
The mysterious piRNAs and their role in the longevity of older adults
«We know very little about piRNAs in the blooda form of RNA whose characteristics and origin are still completely unknown, but it is believed to participate in the production of immune system cells«,» said the leader of the investigation.
It should be remembered that RNA or ribonucleic acid is an essential molecule in all living cells, and in certain viruses, responsible for directing protein synthesis based on DNA information.
The expert explained that piRNAs are chains of small non-coding RNAs that bind to Piwi family proteinsa class of genetic molecules that regulate development, regeneration and immune response in the human body.
Its main function is the silencing of transposons, also called «jumping genes», which protect the integrity of the genome by preventing mutations and ensure offspring.
To investigate the relevance of these «small RNAs» and their relationship with human longevity, three objectives were proposed. The first was to validate the epigenetic factors that underlie the survival of older adults: they refer to environmental factors such as diet, stress and exercise, which modify the activity of genes without altering the DNA sequence.
Secondly, develop and validate «survival prediction models for their possible clinical application»and finally, identify possible pharmacological targets – molecular components with which drugs interact to produce a therapeutic effect by altering cellular functions – that prolong longevity.
Can human survival be predicted?: the debate around longevity indicators
«The combination of a few piRNAs turned out to be the strongest predictor of survival in older adultsstronger than age, habits, lifestyle or any other health parameter we looked at,» Kraus said.
He explained that a genetic-based blood test predicted a two-year survival with a accuracy up to 86% among hundreds of older people.
«What we are seeing is that having low levels of some specific piRNAs is a positive indicator of survival. And what is even more surprising is that «This powerful signal comes from a simple blood test.»the expert continued.
«When they are present in higher amounts it could be a sign that something in the body is not working properly. Understanding why could open the door to new therapies that promote healthy aging«, project.
They also used artificial intelligence techniques to cross-reference hundreds of parameters and observed that six types of piRNAs could be closely related to human survival.
«This surprising discovery requires further research, particularly to better understand the mechanisms involved.» and its role in aging. «We believe we are only beginning to understand its power,» Kraus said.
«We will soon be able to measure the risk of short-term survival with a simple, simple and minimally invasive blood test,» he concluded.
The article published by Kraus is available at virtual file National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), a division of the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM).
With information from the ANSA agency.
