title: Healthy centenarians show high levels of circulating interleukin-22 (IL-22).
abstract: Aging is characterized by a progressive alteration of homeostatic mechanisms modulated by environmental and genetic factors. It is associated with a pro-inflammatory status. In centenarians, an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine production balanced by anti-inflammatory immune response that would promote longevity is observed. Cytokine dysregulation is believed to play a key role in the proposed remodeling of the immune-inflammatory responses accompanying old age. IL-22 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine belonging to the IL-10 family and represents an important effector molecule of activated T helper (Th)-22, Th-1, and Th-17 cells. We recruited 17 healthy centenarians (4 males, 13 females, range 100-105 years). All ultralongeval subjects were living at home or in a nursing home. Sixteen healthy, sex-matched individuals (4 males, 12 females, range 60-95 years) were also recruited as controls. Centenarians displayed significantly higher circulating IL-22 levels compared to control population (45.7±66.9 pg/ml versus 11.1±6.5 pg/ml; p=0.031). It's well known that IL-22 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by activated T lymphocytes and NK cells. IL-22 stimulates the production of acute phase reactants and promotes the antimicrobial defense. The results of the present study show, for the first time, that there is an increase of IL-22 in healthy centenarians. This pro-inflammatory condition probably is protective against infection, promoting the longevity of these subjects.
authors.affiliation: School and Unit of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, AOU Policlinico, Via C. Valeria n. 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. giorgio.basile@unime.it
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: Isidora
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paffumi
authors.forename: Anna Grazia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Figliomeni
authors.forename: Maria Despina
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saitta
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lasco
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangemi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008136:Longevity / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22