Researchers Uncover Biological Clues to Extreme Longevity in 117-Year-Old Woman
Barcelona, Spain – A groundbreaking study analyzing the biological data of a woman who lived to be 117 years and 168 days old is offering new insights into the mechanisms of healthy aging. The woman, briefly the world’s oldest living person, exhibited a remarkably youthful physiological state for her age, prompting researchers to investigate the secrets behind her remarkable lifespan.
The study, led by Eloy Santos-Pujol from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute and published in Cell Reports Medicine, details a comprehensive analysis of samples collected from the woman – known in the research as M116 – throughout her life, with a focus on data gathered at age 116. Born in San Francisco in 1907 to Spanish parents, M116 moved to Catalonia at age eight and surpassed the average life expectancy for women by over 30 years.
Researchers examined M116’s genome, transcriptom, metabolom, proteome, microbiome, and epigenome – essentially, every measurable aspect of her biology. The results revealed a complex interplay of aging hallmarks and indicators of youthful vitality. While M116 displayed typical signs of aging, such as shortened telomeres (protective caps on chromosomes that diminish with cell division) and age-related changes in her immune system – including an increase in certain white blood cells and blood stem cells known as clonal hematopoiesis – she also possessed several characteristics associated with longevity and good health.
Notably,M116 carried rare genetic variants linked to a long lifespan,healthy heart and brain function,a robust immune system,efficient mitochondrial performance,and maintained cognitive ability. Her epigenome, which regulates gene expression, appeared younger than expected for her age. furthermore, her blood showed exceptionally low levels of chronic inflammation, a key driver of age-related diseases.Analysis of her gut microbiome revealed the presence of beneficial bacteria often lost in older individuals, including those with anti-inflammatory properties and metabolic stabilizing effects.
The study’s findings suggest that extreme longevity isn’t simply the absence of aging,but rather a unique combination of genetic factors,a resilient immune system,and a healthy internal environment. Further research is needed to determine how these factors interact and whether they can be harnessed to promote healthier aging in the broader population.
