Scientists are investigating how a woman lived to the age of 117 years and 168 days while maintaining key bodily functions despite advanced age. The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, examined her genome, gene expression, proteins, metabolism, microbiome, and epigenetic changes to identify biological features associated with exceptional longevity.
The findings revealed several signs of advanced aging alongside biological characteristics that may have helped preserve bodily functions and reduce the risk of certain age-related diseases.
Extremely Short Telomeres
Researchers found that the woman had extremely short telomeres, the protective sections at the ends of chromosomes that help preserve genetic material.
Her average telomere length was approximately 8 kilobases, a low level compared with the younger individuals included in the comparison group.
The analysis also identified clonal hematopoiesis, a condition associated with aging that develops as genetic changes accumulate in blood-forming cells.
Genetic Variants Linked to Health
Genome analysis revealed rare genetic variants associated with immune function, cardiovascular health, brain function, metabolism, and mitochondrial activity.
The researchers suggested that some of these variants may have been linked to a lower risk of certain diseases. However, the study did not establish that any specific genetic variant directly caused the woman’s exceptional lifespan.
Lower Inflammation Markers
The study identified biological markers associated with lower levels of inflammation, as well as metabolic patterns linked to fat metabolism.
Chronic inflammation is associated with several diseases that become more common with age, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
These findings suggest that the woman’s body may have maintained certain biological processes that helped limit inflammation, although the results do not prove that reduced inflammation alone contributed to her longevity.
Age-Related Changes in the Immune System
Researchers observed changes in several types of immune cells that are commonly associated with aging.
At the same time, the woman showed genetic characteristics linked to immune-response functions, suggesting that some immune pathways remained active despite her advanced age.
The Gut Microbiome
The researchers also examined the bacteria and other microorganisms living in the woman’s intestines.
The analysis identified a microbial composition that included some characteristics associated with younger ages, along with markers linked to lower inflammation.
However, the study did not establish that the gut microbiome directly caused the woman to live to 117.
Epigenetic Age Was Lower Than Chronological Age
Scientists used several methods based on DNA methylation patterns to estimate the woman’s epigenetic age, a measure of biological aging.
Some indicators of her biological age were lower than her chronological age. According to the DNA methylation analysis, her estimated biological age was approximately 23 years younger than her actual age.
This does not mean that the woman’s biological age was literally 94. Instead, it indicates that certain molecular markers used to estimate biological aging produced a lower result than her chronological age.
What Do the Findings Mean?
The researchers said that studying this exceptional case provides valuable data on the genetic, immune, metabolic, microbial, and epigenetic factors associated with extreme longevity.
However, findings from a single individual cannot be generalized to the entire population. Identifying the biological factors that may help people reach exceptionally old ages requires research involving a much larger number of centenarians and supercentenarians.
The study provides a foundation for further research into the relationship between aging and health preservation, as well as the biological markers associated with healthy aging.
