Interleukin (IL)-18 is highly expressed in macrophages from human atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting its involvement in ischemic syndromes. We evaluated IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (BP) in healthy centenarians, as longevity is characterized by a reduced incidence of ischemic events. For comparison, patients with chronic ischemic syndromes (CIS) were evaluated. Serum IL-18 and IL-18BP levels were measured by non-cross-reacting ELISA in 16 healthy centenarians and in two age-control populations, each of 18 healthy individuals aged 55.9 +/- 1.43 and 74.3 +/- 1.35, respectively, as well as in 23 CIS patients, and another cohort of 23 healthy subjects that were age- and sex-matched with CIS patients. Centenarians displayed significantly higher total IL-18 serum levels compared to each control group. Elevated IL-18 levels were also present in CIS patients. However, centenarians had a significant higher level of IL-18BP compared to the cohort of 23 controls (P = 0.0014), and compared to CIS patients (P = 0.043); as a result centenarians exhibited a lower level of free IL-18 than CIS patients. The present results indicate that quenching of IL-18 by IL-18BP may explain the apparent paradox of elevated serum IL-18 with no vascular signs in centenarians. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Increased circulating Interleukin-18 levels in centenarians with no signs of vascular disease: another paradox of longevity? / S., Gangemi; G., Basile; R. A., Merendino; P. L., Minciullo; D., Novick; M., Rubinstein; C. A., Dinarello; C. L., Balbo; C., Franceschi; Basili, Stefania; E. D., Urbano; G., Davi; V., Nicitamauro; M., Romano. - In: EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY. - ISSN 0531-5565. - STAMPA. - 38:6(2003), pp. 669-672. [10.1016/s0531-5565(03)00061-5]
Increased circulating Interleukin-18 levels in centenarians with no signs of vascular disease: another paradox of longevity?
BASILI, Stefania;
2003
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-18 is highly expressed in macrophages from human atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting its involvement in ischemic syndromes. We evaluated IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (BP) in healthy centenarians, as longevity is characterized by a reduced incidence of ischemic events. For comparison, patients with chronic ischemic syndromes (CIS) were evaluated. Serum IL-18 and IL-18BP levels were measured by non-cross-reacting ELISA in 16 healthy centenarians and in two age-control populations, each of 18 healthy individuals aged 55.9 +/- 1.43 and 74.3 +/- 1.35, respectively, as well as in 23 CIS patients, and another cohort of 23 healthy subjects that were age- and sex-matched with CIS patients. Centenarians displayed significantly higher total IL-18 serum levels compared to each control group. Elevated IL-18 levels were also present in CIS patients. However, centenarians had a significant higher level of IL-18BP compared to the cohort of 23 controls (P = 0.0014), and compared to CIS patients (P = 0.043); as a result centenarians exhibited a lower level of free IL-18 than CIS patients. The present results indicate that quenching of IL-18 by IL-18BP may explain the apparent paradox of elevated serum IL-18 with no vascular signs in centenarians. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
