Researchers from RNIMU them. NI Pirogov have launched a focused examination of how aging affects the immune system among Russians, aiming to map personal trajectories for healthier longevity. The initiative led by Lyudmila Gankovskaya, who heads the aging immunology laboratory at the Russian National Research Medical University Institute for the Study of Aging, is shedding new light on how the immune system evolves with age. Gankovskaya holds the title of Doctor of Medical Sciences and serves in the Faculty of Medicine and Biology at NI Pirogov, where she helps steer this important inquiry into immune aging.
In a comprehensive observational study, researchers analyzed data from 250 individuals aged 100 or older who were monitored at the Russian Gerontological Research and Clinical Center, affiliated with RNIMU. The team sought to understand how extreme old age interacts with immune function, inflammation, and overall health. This population provides a unique window into resilience and vulnerability in late life, offering clues about what keeps some centenarians relatively robust while others face chronic health challenges.
Past investigations have connected sustained inflammatory activity with unhealthy aging, including the development of chronic illnesses and frailty. The latest findings from RNIMU reinforce this association by showing that a substantial share of centenarians with signs of inflammation also displayed poorer health status compared to those without persistent inflammatory markers. In a striking pattern, about nine to ten out of ten patients exhibited inflammation biomarkers at levels significantly higher than what is observed in healthier elderly individuals, underscoring the need to understand and manage inflammatory processes as part of aging care strategies.
Looking ahead, the team outlined a plan to develop an immunobiography instrument that captures a wide range of factors shaping the aging immune system. The proposed questionnaire would gather information on past antigenic exposures, dietary patterns, physical activity, socioeconomic conditions, and other lifestyle factors that contribute to the aging phenotype. This approach is envisioned as part of the RussAge project, which will involve examining people across different age groups to build a comprehensive view of how immune aging unfolds over the lifespan. The goal is to identify key determinants that can be addressed through personalized interventions, ultimately improving health trajectories for aging populations.