CD34+ cell count predicts long lasting life in the oldest old
Giuseppe Mandraffino1, Caterina Oriana Aragona1, Giorgio Basile2
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Italy.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|March 22, 2017
Summary
Higher levels of circulating progenitor cells (CD34+CPCs) predict longer life in healthy octogenarians. This finding highlights the role of CD34+CPCs in longevity, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Background:
- Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) are crucial for tissue repair and maintenance.
- CD34+CPCs are implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, with levels declining with age.
- Aging is linked to chronic inflammation, impacting life expectancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 10-year predictive capacity of CD34+CPCs for longevity.
- To assess the influence of inflammatory markers, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) on survival in healthy octogenarians.
- To determine the role of CD34+CPCs in predicting lifespan among the oldest old.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of healthy, self-sufficient octogenarians.
- Baseline measurement of CD34+CPCs, inflammatory markers, CVRFs, and FRS.
- Survival analysis over a 10-year period.
Main Results:
- Baseline CD34+CPCs strongly predicted mortality, with significant differences between deceased and living patients.
- Higher CD34+CPCs at baseline were associated with increased chances of reaching an older age.
- Inflammatory markers, FRS, CVRFs, and HDL-C levels did not significantly affect survival prediction.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CD34+CPCs are a significant predictor of longevity in individuals aged 80 and older.
- CD34+CPCs offer valuable prognostic insights beyond traditional risk factors in the oldest populations.
- This research underscores the potential of CD34+CPCs as biomarkers for healthy aging and survival.
