Pro-inflammatory cytokine 11 plays a pivotal role in inflammaging-associated pathologies.
Abstract
Chronic sterile inflammation contributes to aging-associated pathologies/malignancies like cancer and autoimmune disorders. In their recent Nature article, Widjaja et al. established the pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic cytokine 11 (IL11) as a regulatory driver/hub of aging-associated inflammation (inflammaging) in mice. Genetic and pharmacological IL11 blockade reduces inflammaging, improving healthspan, lifespan, and longevity in male and female mice, highlighting IL11 as a new inflammatory aging clock and a potential molecular target in inflammaging-associated human degenerative diseases.
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Research summary
The paper addresses the role of IL11 in chronic inflammation associated with aging, which is a key factor in the aging process and age-related diseases. By identifying IL11 as a regulatory driver of inflammaging and demonstrating that its blockade can improve healthspan and lifespan in mice, the research contributes important insights into potential interventions targeting the root causes of aging. However, while the findings are significant, they are still at an early stage and require further validation and exploration in human studies to fully assess their impact on the field of longevity research.
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