Researchers at the RNIMU Institute for the Study of Aging, also known as NI Pirogov, reported notable differences in the activity of several genes among a group of Russian centenarians. The findings were communicated by the university’s press service to socialbites.ca, highlighting how gene activity can differ in individuals who reach extreme ages.
In a detailed analysis, scientists from the laboratory of genetics and epigenetics of aging examined DNA methylation profiles from tissue samples collected from two hundred Russians aged at least ninety years. The study cohort consisted of equal numbers of women and men, reflecting gender parity among the elderly participants. DNA methylation is a biochemical mechanism that allows the body to modulate the regulation of specific genes in response to environmental cues, thereby influencing gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This epigenetic layer is a key factor in how organisms adapt to long term environmental pressure and can illuminate why aging processes vary among individuals.
Among the genes investigated, several candidates appeared to be distinctive to the long-lived population. In particular, the researchers observed statistically significant changes in the activity of the PRG3 and SERPINB2 genes across multiple tissue types. The consistent alteration in expression of these genes suggests they may play a role in the aging phenotype seen in centuries-old Russians, though further research would be necessary to establish causal relationships and underlying mechanisms. These findings contribute to a growing body of work that seeks to map the genetic and epigenetic landscape of extreme longevity and to understand how certain gene networks support enduring health in advanced age.
Looking ahead, the RussAge project is set to broaden the investigation into chronic inflammation, a hallmark of aging. Scientists at the Russian National Research Medical University plan to explore how inflammation processes relate to aging progression. Within the broader effort, a team from the Laboratory of Aging Immunology compared the immune status of two hundred fifty centenarians under ongoing observation at the Russian Gerontological Research and Clinical Center. The results revealed that only a tenth of the participants displayed a healthy aging phenotype and did not exhibit signs consistent with a decline in physiological function known as senile weakness or asthenia. The remaining subjects showed elevated levels of inflammation biomarkers, on average rising ten to twenty fold, underscoring the pervasive role of inflammatory processes in aging trajectories. This work helps clarify how immune system dynamics relate to longevity and age-related health outcomes.
Beyond human aging, Institute researchers are also studying plant senescence and age-related changes in the extracellular matrix, the network of proteins and other molecules that provides structural and biochemical support to tissues. By examining how ECM properties change with age, the researchers aim to better understand how tissues maintain integrity and function over time, as well as how mechanical and biochemical characteristics of organs may be altered during aging. The ongoing program integrates molecular biology with physiology to build a more complete picture of aging across biological systems.