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Deelen J, Beekman M, Capri M, Franceschi C, Slagboom PE. Identifying the genomic determinants of aging and longevity in human population studies: progress and challenges. Bioessays 2013; 35:386-96. [PMID: 23423909 PMCID: PMC3633240 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201200148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human lifespan variation is mainly determined by environmental factors, whereas the genetic contribution is 25–30% and expected to be polygenic. Two complementary fields go hand in hand in order to unravel the mechanisms of biological aging: genomic and biomarker research. Explorative and candidate gene studies of the human genome by genetic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic approaches have resulted in the identification of a limited number of interesting positive linkage regions, genes, and pathways that contribute to lifespan variation. The possibilities to further exploit these findings are rapidly increasing through the use of novel technologies, such as next-generation sequencing. Genomic research is progressively being integrated with biomarker studies on aging, including the application of (noninvasive) deep phenotyping and omics data – generated using novel technologies – in a wealth of studies in human populations. Hence, these studies may assist in obtaining a more holistic perspective on the role of the genome in aging and lifespan regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Deelen
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Kowall B, Peters A, Thorand B, Rathmann W, Meisinger C. Associations between longevity of parents and glucose regulation in their offspring: the KORA S4/F4 Study. Diabetologia 2013; 56:268-74. [PMID: 23076503 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-012-2751-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Type 2 diabetes was less prevalent in studies of the offspring of centenarians and a separate study of nonagenarian siblings. We examined whether this reduction would also be found when less extreme criteria of parental longevity (a lifespan of at least 80 years) were applied. Moreover, we looked for an association between parental longevity and incidence of dysglycaemia, which has not yet been reported for a population-based study group. METHODS Baseline and 7-year follow-up data on 55-74-year-old participants in the population-based German Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) S4/F4 cohort study were used for the analyses. Participants whose parents had died from traumatic causes were excluded. Diabetes was assessed by validated physician diagnosis or OGTTs. Using logistic regression models, adjusted OR and 95% CIs were calculated for the associations between parental longevity and the prevalence or incidence of dysglycaemia, which was defined as including either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (defined in this study as comprising impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] and impaired fasting glucose [IFG]). RESULTS In age- and sex-adjusted models, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was lower in individuals with one (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43, 0.93) or two (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25, 0.85) long-lived parents. Among participants with normal glucose tolerance at baseline, the odds of incident dysglycaemia were lower in those with one (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.40, 1.03) or two long-lived parents (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22, 0.96) after adjustment for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION This study showed that longevity of the parents, defined by a lifespan of at least 80 years, was associated with a lower prevalence and incidence of dysglycaemia in their offspring in an older German population.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Kowall
- Institute of Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Auf'm Hennekamp 65, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Passtoors WM, Beekman M, Deelen J, van der Breggen R, Maier AB, Guigas B, Derhovanessian E, van Heemst D, de Craen AJM, Gunn DA, Pawelec G, Slagboom PE. Gene expression analysis of mTOR pathway: association with human longevity. Aging Cell 2013; 12:24-31. [PMID: 23061800 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
mTOR signalling is implicated in the development of disease and in lifespan extension in model organisms. This pathway has been associated with human diseases such as diabetes and cancer, but has not been investigated for its impact on longevity per se. Here, we investigated whether transcriptional variation within the mTOR pathway is associated with human longevity using whole-blood samples from the Leiden Longevity Study. This is a unique cohort of Dutch families with extended survival across generations, decreased morbidity and beneficial metabolic profiles in middle-age. By comparing mRNA levels of nonagenarians and middle-aged controls, the mTOR signalling gene set was found to associate with old age (P = 4.6 × 10(-7)). Single gene analysis showed that seven of 40 mTOR pathway genes had a significant differential expression of at least 5%. Of these, the RPTOR (Raptor) gene was found to be differentially expressed also when the offspring of nonagenarians was compared with their spouses, indicating association with familial longevity in middle-age. This association was not explained by variation between the groups in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and cancer or glucose levels. Thus, the mTOR pathway not only plays a role in the regulation of disease and aging in animal models, but also in human health and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemijn M. Passtoors
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden; The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ruud van der Breggen
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden; The Netherlands
| | - Andrea B. Maier
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden; The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Guigas
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden; The Netherlands
| | | | - Diana van Heemst
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden; The Netherlands
| | - Anton J. M. de Craen
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden; The Netherlands
| | - David A. Gunn
- Unilever Discover; Colworth, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire; UK
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Center for Medical Research; University of Tübingen; Tübingen; Germany
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Noordam R, Gunn DA, Tomlin CC, Maier AB, Mooijaart SP, Slagboom PE, Westendorp RGJ, de Craen AJM, van Heemst D. High serum glucose levels are associated with a higher perceived age. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 35:189-95. [PMID: 22102339 PMCID: PMC3543736 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-011-9339-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Estimating perceived age by facial photographs is a good estimate of health in elderly populations. Previously, we showed that familial longevity is marked by a more beneficial glucose metabolism already at middle age. As glucose is also related to skin aging, this study aimed to investigate the association between glucose metabolism and perceived age. Perceived age was assessed using facial photographs and non-fasted glucose and insulin were measured in 602 subjects from the Leiden Longevity Study. Non-diabetic subjects (n = 569) were divided in three strata according to their glucose levels, and diabetic subjects (n = 33; as a proxy of long-term hyperglycemic exposure) were included as a fourth stratum. Considered confounding factors were gender, chronological age, current smoking, body mass index, photo-damage score, and insulin levels. Perceived age was increased from 59.6 years (SE = 0.3) in the first stratum to 61.2 years (SE = 0.6) in diabetic subjects (p for trend = 0.002). In non-diabetic subjects only, perceived age was increased from 59.6 years (SE = 0.3) in the first stratum to 60.6 years (SE = 0.3) in the third stratum (p for trend = 0.009). Continuously, perceived age increased 0.40 years (SE = 0.14, p = 0.006) per 1 mmol/L increase in glucose level in non-diabetic subjects. The present study demonstrates that, also among non-diabetic subjects, higher glucose levels are associated with a higher perceived age. Future research should be focused on elucidating possible mechanisms linking glucose levels to perceived age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Noordam
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - David A. Gunn
- Unilever Discover, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire UK
| | | | - Andrea B. Maier
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Simon P. Mooijaart
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P. Eline Slagboom
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rudi G. J. Westendorp
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anton J. M. de Craen
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Diana van Heemst
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Noordam R, Gunn DA, Tomlin CC, Maier AB, Griffiths T, Catt SD, Ogden S, Slagboom PE, Westendorp RGJ, Griffiths CEM, van Heemst D, de Craen AJM. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and facial ageing: high levels associate with reduced skin wrinkling in a cross-sectional study. Br J Dermatol 2013; 168:533-8. [PMID: 23363376 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is a growth factor that can influence fibroblast functioning, with effects including the inhibition of collagenases and the induction of collagen expression. OBJECTIVES To assess whether serum IGF-1, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)3 and the ratio between IGF-1 and IGFBP3, as a measure of IGF-1 bioavailability, are associated with facial ageing and skin wrinkling. METHODS From a random sample comprising 617 subjects from the Leiden Longevity Study, perceived age and skin wrinkling were assessed from facial photographs, and IGF-1 and IGFBP3 were measured in serum. The associations were assessed using linear regression models, adjusted for chronological age, sex, body mass index, smoking and sun exposure. RESULTS Across tertiles of the ratio of IGF-1 to IGFBP3, and after adjusting for all potential confounding factors, the mean perceived age decreased from 60·6 years in the lowest tertile to 59·5 years in the highest (P = 0·045). Similarly, the mean skin wrinkling grade decreased from 4·8 in the lowest tertile to 4·5 in the highest (P = 0·011). Adding skin wrinkling as a covariate in the analysis between IGF-1 and perceived age diminished this association. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that a higher ratio of IGF-1 to IGFBP3 associates with a lower perceived age, via its association with reduced skin wrinkling. Whether high IGF-1 levels actually delay the accumulation of skin wrinkling now needs investigating.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Noordam
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Unilever Discover, Colworth, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
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Ling CHY, de Craen AJM, Slagboom PE, Westendorp RGJ, Maier AB. Handgrip strength at midlife and familial longevity : The Leiden Longevity Study. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2012; 34:1261-8. [PMID: 21833741 PMCID: PMC3448992 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-011-9295-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Low handgrip strength has been linked with premature mortality in diverse samples of middle-aged and elderly subjects. The value of handgrip strength as marker of "exceptional" human longevity has not been previously explored. We postulated that the genetic influence on extreme survival might also be involved in the muscular strength determination pathway. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the muscle strength in a sample of middle-aged adults who are genetically enriched for exceptional survival and comparing them to a control group. We included 336 offspring of the nonagenarian from the Leiden Longevity Study who were enriched for heritable exceptional longevity, and 336 of their partners were used as controls. The Leiden Longevity study was a prospective follow up study of long-living siblings pairs together with their offspring and their partners. Handgrip strength was used as a proxy for overall muscle strength. No significant difference in handgrip strength was seen between the offspring of the nonagenarian and their partners after adjustment for potential confounders including body compositions, sum score of comorbidities, medication use, smoking and alcohol history. The main determinants of midlife handgrip strength were age, gender, total body percentage fat and relative appendicular lean mass. Although midlife handgrip strength has previously been shown to be an important prognostic indicator of survival, it is not a marker of exceptional familial longevity in middle-aged adults. This finding suggests that genetic component of susceptibility to extreme survival is likely to be separate from that of muscular strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina H. Y. Ling
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anton J. M. de Craen
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Aging, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P. Eline Slagboom
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Aging, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rudi G. J. Westendorp
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Aging, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea B. Maier
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Aging, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Gunn DA, de Craen AJM, Dick JL, Tomlin CC, van Heemst D, Catt SD, Griffiths T, Ogden S, Maier AB, Murray PG, Griffiths CEM, Slagboom PE, Westendorp RGJ, Kritchevsky S. Facial Appearance Reflects Human Familial Longevity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Healthy Individuals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 68:145-52. [DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gls154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Murabito JM, Yuan R, Lunetta KL. The search for longevity and healthy aging genes: insights from epidemiological studies and samples of long-lived individuals. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2012; 67:470-9. [PMID: 22499766 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gls089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors clearly contribute to exceptional longevity and healthy aging in humans, yet the identification of the underlying genes remains a challenge. Longevity is a complex phenotype with modest heritability. Age-related phenotypes with higher heritability may have greater success in gene discovery. Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for longevity have had only limited success to date. The Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium conducted a meta-analysis of GWAS data for longevity, defined as survival to age 90 years or older, that identified several interesting associations but none achieved genome-wide significance. A recent GWAS of longevity conducted in the Leiden Longevity Study identified the ApoE E4 isoform as deleterious to longevity that was confirmed in an independent GWAS of long-lived individuals of German descent. Notably, no other genetic loci for longevity have been identified in these GWAS. To examine the conserved genetic mechanisms between the mouse and humans for life span, we mapped the top Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology GWAS associations for longevity to the mouse chromosomal map and noted that eight of the ten top human associations were located within a previously reported mouse life-span quantitative trait loci. This work suggests that the mouse and human may share mechanisms leading to aging and that the mouse model may help speed the understanding of how genes identified in humans affect the biology of aging. We expect these ongoing collaborations and the translational work with basic scientists to accelerate the identification of genes that delay aging and promote a healthy life span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Murabito
- Framingham Heart Study, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Framingham, MA 01702, USA.
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Noordam R, Jansen SWM, Akintola AA, Oei NYL, Maier AB, Pijl H, Slagboom PE, Westendorp RGJ, van der Grond J, de Craen AJM, van Heemst D. Familial longevity is marked by lower diurnal salivary cortisol levels: the Leiden Longevity Study. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31166. [PMID: 22348049 PMCID: PMC3278433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reported findings are inconsistent whether hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) signaling becomes hyperactive with increasing age, resulting in increasing levels of cortisol. Our previous research strongly suggests that offspring from long-lived families are biologically younger. In this study we assessed whether these offspring have a lower HPA axis activity, as measured by lower levels of cortisol and higher cortisol feedback sensitivity. METHODS Salivary cortisol levels were measured at four time points within the first hour upon awakening and at two time points in the evening in a cohort comprising 149 offspring and 154 partners from the Leiden Longevity Study. A dexamethasone suppression test was performed as a measure of cortisol feedback sensitivity. Age, gender and body mass index, smoking and disease history (type 2 diabetes and hypertension) were considered as possible confounding factors. RESULTS Salivary cortisol secretion was lower in offspring compared to partners in the morning (Area Under the Curve = 15.6 versus 17.1 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.048) and in the evening (Area Under the Curve = 3.32 versus 3.82 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.024). Salivary cortisol levels were not different after dexamethasone (0.5 mg) suppression between offspring and partners (4.82 versus 5.26 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.28). CONCLUSION Offspring of nonagenarian siblings are marked by a lower HPA axis activity (reflected by lower diurnal salivary cortisol levels), but not by a difference in cortisol feedback sensitivity. Further in-depth studies aimed at characterizing the HPA axis in offspring and partners are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Noordam
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Steffy W. M. Jansen
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Abimbola A. Akintola
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole Y. L. Oei
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea B. Maier
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Ageing, the Netherlands
| | - Hanno Pijl
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - P. Eline Slagboom
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Ageing, the Netherlands
| | - Rudi G. J. Westendorp
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Ageing, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen van der Grond
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anton J. M. de Craen
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Ageing, the Netherlands
| | - Diana van Heemst
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Ageing, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Wijsman CA, van Opstal AM, Kan HE, Maier AB, Westendorp RGJ, Slagboom PE, Webb AG, Mooijaart SP, van Heemst D. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy shows lower intramyocellular lipid accumulation in middle-aged subjects predisposed to familial longevity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2012; 302:E344-8. [PMID: 22094471 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00455.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Families predisposed to longevity show enhanced glucose tolerance and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity compared with controls, independent of body composition and physical activity. Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) accumulation in skeletal muscle has been associated with insulin resistance. Here, we assessed whether subjects enriched for familial longevity have lower IMCL levels. We determined IMCL levels in 48 subjects from the Leiden Longevity Study, comprising 24 offspring of nonagenarian siblings and 24 partners thereof as control subjects. IMCL levels were assessed noninvasively using short echo time proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) of the tibialis anterior muscle with a 7 Tesla human MR scanner. IMCL levels were calculated relative to the total creatine (tCr) CH3 signal. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). After correction for age, sex, BMI, and physical activity, offspring of long-lived nonagenarian siblings tended to show lower IMCL levels compared with controls (IMCL/tCr: 3.1 ± 0.5 vs. 4.5 ± 0.5, respectively, P = 0.051). In a pairwise comparison, this difference reached statistical significance (P = 0.038). We conclude that offspring of nonagenarian siblings predisposed to longevity show lower IMCL levels compared with environmentally matched control subjects. Future research should focus on assessing what mechanisms may explain the lower IMCL levels in familial longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Wijsman
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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Transcriptional profiling of human familial longevity indicates a role for ASF1A and IL7R. PLoS One 2012; 7:e27759. [PMID: 22247756 PMCID: PMC3256132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The Leiden Longevity Study consists of families that express extended survival across generations, decreased morbidity in middle-age, and beneficial metabolic profiles. To identify which pathways drive this complex phenotype of familial longevity and healthy aging, we performed a genome-wide gene expression study within this cohort to screen for mRNAs whose expression changes with age and associates with longevity. We first compared gene expression profiles from whole blood samples between 50 nonagenarians and 50 middle-aged controls, resulting in identification of 2,953 probes that associated with age. Next, we determined which of these probes associated with longevity by comparing the offspring of the nonagenarians (50 subjects) and the middle-aged controls. The expression of 360 probes was found to change differentially with age in members of the long-lived families. In a RT-qPCR replication experiment utilizing 312 controls, 332 offspring and 79 nonagenarians, we confirmed a nonagenarian specific expression profile for 21 genes out of 25 tested. Since only some of the offspring will have inherited the beneficial longevity profile from their long-lived parents, the contrast between offspring and controls is expected to be weak. Despite this dilution of the longevity effects, reduced expression levels of two genes, ASF1A and IL7R, involved in maintenance of chromatin structure and the immune system, associated with familial longevity already in middle-age. The size of this association increased when controls were compared to a subfraction of the offspring that had the highest probability to age healthily and become long-lived according to beneficial metabolic parameters. In conclusion, an “aging-signature” formed of 21 genes was identified, of which reduced expression of ASF1A and IL7R marked familial longevity already in middle-age. This indicates that expression changes of genes involved in metabolism, epigenetic control and immune function occur as a function of age, and some of these, like ASF1A and IL7R, represent early features of familial longevity and healthy ageing.
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Dekker P, Meissner A, Dirks RW, Eline Slagboom P, van Heemst D, Deelder AM, Tanke HJ, Westendorp RGJ, Maier AB. Human in vivo longevity is reflected in vitro by differential metabolism as measured by 1H-NMR profiling of cell culture supernatants. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2012; 8:783-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c2mb05237g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Rozing MP, Mooijaart SP, Beekman M, Wijsman CA, Maier AB, Bartke A, Westendorp RG, Slagboom EP, van Heemst D. C-reactive protein and glucose regulation in familial longevity. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2011; 33:623-630. [PMID: 21246407 PMCID: PMC3220397 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-011-9206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Earlier, we showed that the offspring from exceptionally long-lived families have a more favorable glucose metabolism when compared with controls. As chronic low-grade inflammation has been regarded as a strong risk factor for insulin resistance, we evaluated if and to what extent the favorable glucose metabolism in offspring from long-lived families could be explained by differences in subclinical inflammation, as estimated from circulating levels of C-reactive protein. We found no difference between the two groups in C-reactive protein levels or in the distribution of C-reactive protein haplotypes. However, among controls higher levels of C-reactive protein were related to higher glucose levels, whereas among offspring levels of C-reactive protein were unrelated to glucose levels. It is a limitation of the current study that its cross-sectional nature does not allow for assessment of cause-effect relationships. One possible interpretation of these data is that the offspring from long-lived families might be able to regulate glucose levels more tightly under conditions of low-grade inflammation. To test this hypothesis, our future research will be focused on assessing the robustness of insulin sensitivity in response to various challenges in offspring from long-lived families and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten P. Rozing
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Simon P. Mooijaart
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Beekman
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Carolien A. Wijsman
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea B. Maier
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrzej Bartke
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19636, Springfield, IL 62794-9628 USA
| | - Rudi G.J. Westendorp
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eline P. Slagboom
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Diana van Heemst
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium of Healthy Aging (NCHA), Leiden, the Netherlands
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Florez H, Ma Y, Crandall JP, Perreault L, Marcovina SM, Bray GA, Saudek CD, Barrett-Connor E, Knowler WC. Parental longevity and diabetes risk in the Diabetes Prevention Program. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2011; 66:1211-7. [PMID: 21852284 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glr114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Longevity clusters in families, and parental longevity may be associated with lower risk of chronic diseases in their children. It is unknown if diabetes risk is associated with parental longevity. METHODS We evaluated participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program with a parental history questionnaire at study entry. We classified them into five groups: premature death (parental death at age < 50 years), parental longevity (living to at least 80 years), and three intermediate groups (alive by age 49 but dying at age 50-59, 60-69, or 70-79). Those with alive parents and younger than 80 years were excluded. We analyzed separately effects of paternal (n = 2,165) and maternal (n = 1,739) longevity on diabetes incidence and risk after an average follow-up of 3.2 years. RESULTS At baseline, more diabetes risk factors (parental history of diabetes, coronary heart disease, higher body mass index, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and corrected insulin response) were found in participants whose parents died prematurely. Diabetes incidence was 9.5 cases/100 person-years in the 229 whose fathers died prematurely. In the 618 with paternal longevity, the rate was 6.6 cases/100 person-years (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.68 [0.49-0.94]). The rates were 10.7 cases/100 person-years (n = 156) and 7.3 cases/100 person-years (n = 699, hazard ratio = 0.67 [95% confidence interval 0.47-0.95]) for those with maternal premature death or longevity, respectively. Associations with demographic and diabetes risk factors had minimal influence on the reduced risk found in those with paternal (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.52-1.16) and maternal (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.41-1.01) longevity. CONCLUSION Parental longevity is associated with lower diabetes incidence in adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Florez
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami VAHS GRECC, Florida, USA.
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Deelen J, Beekman M, Uh HW, Helmer Q, Kuningas M, Christiansen L, Kremer D, van der Breggen R, Suchiman HED, Lakenberg N, van den Akker EB, Passtoors WM, Tiemeier H, van Heemst D, de Craen AJ, Rivadeneira F, de Geus EJ, Perola M, van der Ouderaa FJ, Gunn DA, Boomsma DI, Uitterlinden AG, Christensen K, van Duijn CM, Heijmans BT, Houwing-Duistermaat JJ, Westendorp RGJ, Slagboom PE. Genome-wide association study identifies a single major locus contributing to survival into old age; the APOE locus revisited. Aging Cell 2011; 10:686-98. [PMID: 21418511 PMCID: PMC3193372 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2011.00705.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
By studying the loci that contribute to human longevity, we aim to identify mechanisms that contribute to healthy aging. To identify such loci, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) comparing 403 unrelated nonagenarians from long-living families included in the Leiden Longevity Study (LLS) and 1670 younger population controls. The strongest candidate SNPs from this GWAS have been analyzed in a meta-analysis of nonagenarian cases from the Rotterdam Study, Leiden 85-plus study, and Danish 1905 cohort. Only one of the 62 prioritized SNPs from the GWAS analysis (P < 1 × 10−4) showed genome-wide significance with survival into old age in the meta-analysis of 4149 nonagenarian cases and 7582 younger controls [OR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.65–0.77), P = 3.39 × 10−17]. This SNP, rs2075650, is located in TOMM40 at chromosome 19q13.32 close to the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene. Although there was only moderate linkage disequilibrium between rs2075650 and the ApoE ε4 defining SNP rs429358, we could not find an APOE-independent effect of rs2075650 on longevity, either in cross-sectional or in longitudinal analyses. As expected, rs429358 associated with metabolic phenotypes in the offspring of the nonagenarian cases from the LLS and their partners. In addition, we observed a novel association between this locus and serum levels of IGF-1 in women (P = 0.005). In conclusion, the major locus determining familial longevity up to high age as detected by GWAS was marked by rs2075650, which tags the deleterious effects of the ApoE ε4 allele. No other major longevity locus was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Deelen
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Beekman
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hae-Won Uh
- Section of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Quinta Helmer
- Section of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maris Kuningas
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical CenterPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lene Christiansen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Southern DenmarkJ.B. Winsløws Vej 9, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Institute of Public Health-EpidemiologyJ.B. Winsløws Vej 9 B, st. tv, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University HospitalDK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Dennis Kremer
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud van der Breggen
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H Eka D Suchiman
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nico Lakenberg
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik B van den Akker
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Mediamatics, Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Delft University of TechnologyPO Box 5031, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Willemijn M Passtoors
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical CenterPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center and Sophia Children's HospitalPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diana van Heemst
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anton J de Craen
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fernando Rivadeneira
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical CenterPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eco J de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University AmsterdamVan der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Markus Perola
- National Institute for Health and WelfarePO Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frans J van der Ouderaa
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - David A Gunn
- Unilever DiscoverColworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University AmsterdamVan der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - André G Uitterlinden
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical CenterPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kaare Christensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Institute of Public Health-EpidemiologyJ.B. Winsløws Vej 9 B, st. tv, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University HospitalDK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Cornelia M van Duijn
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical CenterPO Box 2040, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan T Heijmans
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rudi G J Westendorp
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P Eline Slagboom
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing, Leiden University Medical CenterPO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Polymorphisms associated with type 2 diabetes in familial longevity: The Leiden Longevity Study. Aging (Albany NY) 2011; 3:55-62. [PMID: 21191145 PMCID: PMC3047139 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Human longevity is in part genetically determined, and the insulin/IGF-1 signal transduction (IIS) pathway has consistently been implicated. In humans, type 2 diabetes is a frequent disease that results from loss of glucose homeostasis and for which new candidate polymorphisms now rapidly emerge from genome wide association studies. In the Leiden Longevity Study (n=2415), the offspring of long lived siblings (“offspring”) who are genetically enriched for longevity were shown to have a more beneficial metabolic profile compared to their environmentally matched partners (“controls”), including better glucose tolerance. We tested whether the “offspring” carry a lower burden of diabetes risk alleles. Fifteen polymorphisms derived from genome wide association (GWA) scans in type 2 diabetes were tested for association with parameters of glucose metabolism in offspring and controls, and burden of risk alleles was compared between offspring and controls. Among all participants, a higher number of type 2 diabetes risk alleles associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes (P=0.011) and higher serum concentration of glucose (P<0.016) but not insulin (P=0.450). None of the polymorphisms differed in frequency between the offspring and controls (all P>0.05), nor did the mean total number of risk alleles (P=0.977). The association between polymorphisms and glucose levels did not differ between controls and offspring (Pinteraction=0.523). The better glucose tolerance of the “offspring” is not explained by a lower burden of type 2 diabetes risk alleles, suggesting that specific mechanisms determining longevity exist.
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Kulminski AM, Arbeev KG, Christensen K, Mayeux R, Newman AB, Province MA, Hadley EC, Rossi W, Perls TT, Elo IT, Yashin AI. Do gender, disability, and morbidity affect aging rate in the LLFS? Application of indices of cumulative deficits. Mech Ageing Dev 2011; 132:195-201. [PMID: 21463647 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2011.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2011] [Revised: 03/07/2011] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We used an approach of cumulative deficits to evaluate the rate of aging in 4954 participants of the Long-Life Family Study (LLFS) recruited in the U.S. (Boston, New York, and Pittsburgh) and Denmark. We used an array of 85 health-related deficits covering major health dimensions including depression, cognition, morbidity, physical performance, and disability to construct several deficit indices (DIs) with overlapping and complementary sets of deficits to test robustness of the estimates. Our study shows that the DIs robustly characterize accelerated rates of aging irrespective of specific of deficits. When a wider spectrum of health dimensions is considered these rates are better approximated by quadratic law. Exponential rates are more characteristic for more severe health dimensions. The aging rates are the same for males and females. Individuals who contracted major diseases and those who were free of them exhibited the same aging rates as characterized by the DI constructed using mild deficits. Unlike health, disability can qualitatively alter the aging patterns of the LLFS participants. We report on systemic differences in health among the LLFS centenarians residing in New York and Boston. This study highlights importance of aggregated approaches to better understand systemic mechanisms of health deterioration in long-living individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Kulminski
- Center for Population Health and Aging, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0408, USA.
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Slagboom PE, Beekman M, Passtoors WM, Deelen J, Vaarhorst AAM, Boer JM, van den Akker EB, van Heemst D, de Craen AJM, Maier AB, Rozing M, Mooijaart SP, Heijmans BT, Westendorp RGJ. Genomics of human longevity. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2011; 366:35-42. [PMID: 21115528 PMCID: PMC3001312 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2010.0284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In animal models, single-gene mutations in genes involved in insulin/IGF and target of rapamycin signalling pathways extend lifespan to a considerable extent. The genetic, genomic and epigenetic influences on human longevity are expected to be much more complex. Strikingly however, beneficial metabolic and cellular features of long-lived families resemble those in animals for whom the lifespan is extended by applying genetic manipulation and, especially, dietary restriction. Candidate gene studies in humans support the notion that human orthologues from longevity genes identified in lower species do contribute to longevity but that the influence of the genetic variants involved is small. Here we discuss how an integration of novel study designs, labour-intensive biobanking, deep phenotyping and genomic research may provide insights into the mechanisms that drive human longevity and healthy ageing, beyond the associations usually provided by molecular and genetic epidemiology. Although prospective studies of humans from the cradle to the grave have never been performed, it is feasible to extract life histories from different cohorts jointly covering the molecular changes that occur with age from early development all the way up to the age at death. By the integration of research in different study cohorts, and with research in animal models, biological research into human longevity is thus making considerable progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- P E Slagboom
- Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Wijsman CA, van Heemst D, Rozing MP, Slagboom PE, Beekman M, de Craen AJM, Maier AB, Westendorp RGJ, Blom HJ, Mooijaart SP. Homocysteine and familial longevity: the Leiden Longevity Study. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17543. [PMID: 21408159 PMCID: PMC3050884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Homocysteine concentrations are a read-out of methionine metabolism and have been related to changes in lifespan in animal models. In humans, high homocysteine concentrations are an important predictor of age related disease. We aimed to explore the association of homocysteine with familial longevity by testing whether homocysteine is lower in individuals that are genetically enriched for longevity. We measured concentrations of total homocysteine in 1907 subjects from the Leiden Longevity Study consisting of 1309 offspring of nonagenarian siblings, who are enriched with familial factors promoting longevity, and 598 partners thereof as population controls. We found that homocysteine was related to age, creatinine, folate, vitamin B levels and medical history of hypertension and stroke in both groups (all p<0.001). However, levels of homocysteine did not differ between offspring enriched for longevity and their partners, and no differences in the age-related rise in homocysteine levels were found between groups (p for interaction 0.63). The results suggest that homocysteine metabolism is not likely to predict familial longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolien A Wijsman
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Wijsman CA, Rozing MP, Streefland TCM, le Cessie S, Mooijaart SP, Slagboom PE, Westendorp RGJ, Pijl H, van Heemst D. Familial longevity is marked by enhanced insulin sensitivity. Aging Cell 2011; 10:114-21. [PMID: 21070591 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2010.00650.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin resistance is a risk factor for various age-related diseases. In the Leiden Longevity study, we recruited long-lived siblings and their offspring. Previously, we showed that, compared to controls, the offspring of long-lived siblings had a better glucose tolerance. Here, we compared groups of offspring from long-lived siblings and controls for the relation between insulin and glucose in nonfasted serum (n = 1848 subjects) and for quantitation of insulin action using a two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (n = 24 subjects). Groups of offspring and controls were similar with regard to sex distribution, age, and body mass index. We observed a positive bi-phasic linear relationship between ln (insulin) levels and nonfasted glucose with a steeper slope from 10.7mU L(-1) insulin onwards in controls compared to offspring (P = 0.02). During the clamp study, higher glucose infusion rate was required to maintain euglycemia during high-dose insulin infusion (P = 0.036) in offspring, reflecting higher whole-body insulin sensitivity. After adjustment for sex, age, and fat mass, the insulin-mediated glucose disposal rate (GDR) was higher in offspring than controls (42.5 ± 2.7 vs. 33.2 ± 2.7 micromol kg(-1) min(-1) , mean ± SE, P = 0.025). The insulin-mediated suppression of endogenous glucose production and lipolysis did not differ between groups (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, GDR was significantly correlated with the mean age of death of the parents. In conclusion, offspring from long-lived siblings are marked by enhanced peripheral glucose disposal. Future research will focus on identifying the underlying biomolecular mechanisms, with the aim to promote health in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolien A Wijsman
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
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