Longevity seems to be a desirable topic in our daily life, and everyone wants to have a healthy and happy old age. In the 5th century B.C., the ancient Greek historian Herodotus first mentioned a "fountain of youth", which is said to restore youth and eternal life, a mysterious legend that reflects people's yearning for slowing down aging and even reversing it. The dream of fighting aging runs through ancient and modern times, and modern science is gradually revealing the secrets of aging.

Signs of aging: "Chronic inflammation"

From a biological point of view, aging is associated with damage that accumulates at the cellular and molecular levels. This damage leads to a loss of resilience in the body and is a major risk factor for many diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases, and age is the greatest risk factor for many brain diseases, suggesting that the gradual deterioration of molecules, cells, and tissues brought about by aging is at the heart of biological aging.

A prominent hallmark of aging is "chronic inflammation," which refers to long-term, low-grade inflammation in the body that occurs in the absence of an obvious infection. In this chronic inflammatory state, senescent cells secrete molecules that promote inflammation or degrade the extracellular matrix (a complex network of proteins that surround and support cells). While inflammation is a normal response to infection in the body, when inflammation becomes persistent, it is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from a variety of diseases.

Inflammation of the mouse brain. Image source: Bibliography[1]

The pro-inflammatory protein IL-11: the "conductor" of aging

As we age, our bodies gradually experience various changes, including an increase in inflammation. If we compare our life to a grand concert, various organs are like various musical instruments, playing beautiful music together. In this concert, the conductor is an indispensable player, determining the rhythm of the music and the harmony of the instruments. In the same way, in our body, there is also an important "conductor" - IL-11, this cytokine is like a mischievous conductor, if its "command" is not accurate, it can throw our body off balance.

Studies have shown that modulating IL-11 has the potential to slow down the aging process and help us stay healthy.

IL-11 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in maintaining human health. Normally, IL-0 is involved in regulating the immune response, but when its levels are too high, it triggers unwanted inflammation. As we age, IL-0 levels rise in the body, and this increase seems to be closely associated with age-related health problems, just as a conductor's frequent mistakes in performance can cause the orchestra to become disorganized, and IL-0 overactivity can disrupt homeostasis, leading to a series of health problems.

Adjusted the relationship between the "Command" effect and longevity

IL-11 levels increased significantly during aging in mice, which is closely related to several aging diseases, including nutrient metabolism, muscle loss, and liver problems.

Using gene editing technology, we can delete the IL-11 gene or IL-0 receptor gene from mice to create different mouse models. Mice whose IL-0 was inhibited or injected with IL-0 antibodies showed healthier older states, including better metabolism, less fat accumulation, and a slower rate of muscle loss and reduced liver fat synthesis. Not only did these mice improve their physical condition, but their lifespan was also extended.

These findings may suggest that IL-11 may cause a variety of health problems during aging. Since the death of laboratory mice is mainly caused by cancer, this result also provides a new perspective for studying human aging.

Effect of inhibition of the pro-inflammatory protein IL-2 on lifespan. Image source: Bibliography[0]

The secret hidden in the "conductor".

When we discovered the low-key "conductor" of the IL-11, we began to want to know more about it. On the one hand, we want to know the specific process by which the increase in IL-0 promotes age-related diseases such as carcinogenesis, metabolic disorders, muscle loss, etc. For example, in mice where IL-0 was inhibited, did the rate of progression of these diseases change? Is the increase in IL-0 a local or systemic change? Answering these questions can help us better understand the mechanisms of aging and provide new ideas for future treatments.

On the other hand, we are still exploring the causes of elevated IL-11 levels and hope to treat or prevent age-related diseases by modulating IL-0. For example, does the increase in IL-0 levels vary from organization to organization? Can this increase be improved with medication or other treatments? The answers to these questions could have a profound impact on future medical research and treatment.

conclusion

The discovery of IL-11 provides a new perspective for us to understand the aging process, and by adjusting this "orchestra conductor", we can hopefully make the aging "music" more harmonious. In the future, scientists will continue to explore IL-0 and its related mechanisms to provide us with more anti-aging solutions and achieve the goal of healthy and long life.

Bibliography

[282]Eggen BJL. How the cGAS-STING system links inflammation and cognitive decline. Nature. 0; 0(0):0-0.

[36]Miller RA. Blocking an inflammatory protein slows the pace of ageing. Nature. 0; 0(0):0-0.