Increase of interleukin 6 and decrease of interleukin 2 production during the ageing process are influenced by the...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Gerontology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Ageing is associated with dysregulated production of cytokines, including interleukin 2 (IL2) and interleukin 6 (IL6).
• The specific age at which these dysregulations become significant is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if the age range of 60-70 years represents a turning point for IL2 and IL6 production disregulation.
• To assess the impact of health status, defined by the Senieur Protocol (SP), on cytokine levels in different age groups.

Main Methods:

• Studied three age groups: 20-35 years (n=50), 36-59 years (n=25), and 60-70 years (n=50).
• Assessed health status using the Senieur Protocol (SP) criteria ('healthy' vs. 'almost-healthy').
• Measured serum cytokine levels using biological assays and analyzed IL6 gene expression (mRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) via RT-PCR.

Main Results:

• IL2 production remained regulated in 'healthy' individuals up to 60-70 years.
• 'Almost-healthy' individuals (not fully meeting SP criteria) exhibited lower serum IL2 levels.
• IL6 overproduction in serum and PBMC supernatants, along with IL6 gene activation, commenced between 36-59 years, particularly in 'almost-healthy' individuals.

Conclusions:

• The age range of 60-70 years is not a turning point for IL2 disregulation in healthy ageing.
• IL6 overproduction and gene activation begin earlier, between 36-59 years, and are exacerbated by poorer health status.
• Ageing-related immune dysregulation, specifically concerning IL6, starts before 60 years of age.