HLA and longevity or aging among Shanghai Chinese

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Immunology
• Gerontology

Background:

• The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system plays a crucial role in immune response.
• Genetic factors, including HLA alleles, are increasingly recognized for their influence on human lifespan.
• Understanding the genetic underpinnings of longevity can provide insights into the aging process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and longevity in a Chinese population.
• To compare the frequencies of HLA antigens in centenarians and nonagenarians with those in younger adults.
• To explore potential correlations between HLA antigen profiles and biological markers related to aging.

Main Methods:

• Phenotyping of HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C loci in 22 centenarians and 179 nonagenarians from Shanghai.
• Comparison of HLA antigen frequencies with a control group of 211 healthy adults aged 20-50 years.
• Analysis of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) content in selected individuals from longevity and control groups.

Main Results:

• HLA-A9 demonstrated a significant positive association with longevity (38% vs. 24%, P=0.002).
• HLA-A30 showed a significant inverse correlation with longevity (8% vs. 17%, P=0.008).
• HLA-Cw3, Cw6, and Cw7 were also inversely correlated with longevity (P=0.02, 0.04, 0.02, respectively).
• No significant difference in erythrocyte SOD content was observed between individuals with HLA-A9 and HLA-A30.

Conclusions:

• The HLA-A9 allele may be a genetic factor contributing to exceptional longevity.
• Conversely, HLA-A30, Cw3, Cw6, and Cw7 alleles might be associated with the aging process.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking these HLA alleles to lifespan and aging.