Study: “Inhibition of IL-11 signalling extends mammalian healthspan and lifespan”
Publisher: Nature
Published date: July 2024
PubMed link to study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39020175/
Recent research has discovered that the inhibition of IL-11 can significantly extend both the healthspan and lifespan of mice. This study suggests that IL-11 plays a key role in age-related diseases and metabolic decline, making it a promising target for future anti-aging therapies.
Feel welcome to share your own thoughts on this research in the comment section below as well. I will be happy to discuss and learn more about how you see its potential in this field.
The Role of IL-11 in Aging
IL-11 is a cytokine involved in inflammatory responses and fibrosis. The research found that IL-11 levels increase with age across various tissues, leading to activation of the ERK-AMPK-mTORC1 axis. This signaling pathway is critical in regulating aging and metabolism. By inhibiting IL-11, the detrimental effects on these pathways are alleviated, resulting in improved health outcomes.
Key Findings from the Study
In the following you will find the most important highlights from this research.
Lifespan Extension
The genetic deletion of IL-11 in mice resulted in a 24.9% increase in average lifespan. Additionally, administering anti-IL-11 antibodies to 75-week-old mice extended their median lifespan by 22.5% in males and 25% in females.
Metabolic Health Improvements
Mice treated with anti-IL-11 exhibited significant metabolic benefits, including reduced body weight, decreased fat mass, and enhanced muscle function. These mice also demonstrated better glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, important markers of metabolic health.
Reduction of Aging Biomarkers
The study observed lower levels of aging biomarkers such as telomere shortening and mitochondrial DNA damage in treated mice. There was also a noticeable decrease in frailty scores, suggesting better overall physical health.
Reversal of Cellular Senescence
Senescence, characterized by cells that no longer divide and start secreting inflammatory factors, was reduced in mice with inhibited IL-11 signaling. This indicates a potential reversal of some cellular aging processes.
Reduction of Cancer Incidence
Inhibition of IL-11 not only extends lifespan but also reduces the incidence of age-related cancers. This highlights its potential in addressing one of the major causes of mortality in aging populations.
Implications for Human Health
While these findings are currently limited to animal models, they hold significant promise for human health.
Anti-IL-11 therapies are already being explored in clinical trials for fibrotic lung diseases. The potential repurposing of these therapies for anti-aging treatments could be a significant step forward in combating age-related diseases and improving the quality of life as we age.
You can view the clinical trial for IL-11 in fibrotic lung disease through this link to clinicaltrials.gov. Although, the trial was officially completed in March 2024, we still have not seen any official results posted. Hopefully we will get to see them soon, and it will be exciting to learn if there is merit to repurpose for anti-aging treatment.
In Summary
The inhibition of IL-11 presents a promising approach to extending both healthspan and lifespan by targeting inflammation and cellular senescence. This study provides a foundation for future research into IL-11 as a therapeutic target for aging-related conditions, potentially leading to new interventions that enables healthier and longer lives.
