Researchers have identified a rare genetic mutation that may help people from long-lived families stay healthier longer by reducing harmful inflammation. The findings were presented at the European Society of Human Genetics conference in Gothenburg.
Middle-aged people with long-lived parents developed cardiometabolic diseases an average of 13 years later than peers whose parents had shorter lifespans, according to the Leiden Longevity Study.
Scientists analyzed genomes from 212 long-lived sibships and pinpointed 12 rare protein-altering variants, including one in the CGAS gene found in two families. The variant appears to leave only one active copy of the gene, lowering inflammation while still allowing the body to fight infections.
Mr. Pasquale Putter of Leiden University Medical Center said the mutation could contribute to extended healthspan. Researchers plan to test its effects by introducing it into killifish at the Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing in Cologne.
Professor Alexandre Reymond, conference chair, noted the work could help identify key factors for extending healthspan across the population.
