Lack of association between human longevity and polymorphisms of IL-1 cluster, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α genes in Finnish nonagenarians

There has been increasing interest in research on genetic basis of longevity. Aging is accompanied by immune deterioration and dysregulation of cytokines. Increased IL-6 concentration in vivo and enhanced IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha production in vitro have been reported in healthy elderly people. Cytokine gene polymorphisms have been demonstrated to be associated with cytokine production both in vivo and in vitro, and with some diseases. Thus, gene polymorphisms of cytokine may play a role in longevity by modulating an individual's responses to life-threatening disorders. Cytokine gene polymorphisms at ILIA - 889, IL1B + 3953, IL1B - 511, IL1RN VNTR, IL6 - 174, IL10 - 1082, and TNFA - 308 were genotyped in 250 Finnish nonagenarians (52 men and 198 women) and in 400 healthy blood donors (18-60 years) as controls. No statistically significant differences were found in the genotype distributions, allelic frequencies and A2+ carrier status of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha genes between nonagenarians and younger controls within Finnish population, nor between male and female nonagenarians. No differences emerged between nonagenarians and younger controls by comparing different IL-1 gene cluster haplotypes. Thus, there is no evidence of an association of IL-1 complex, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms with longevity, alone or in combination. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.