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What if aging could be slowed—or even reversed—by targeting a single protein? A group of scientists believe it can. And they’ve created “supermodel grannies” to prove it.
Could their breakthrough be the key to a longer, healthier life for you? Let’s explore the fascinating science behind their remarkable discovery and its anti-aging potential.
Key Takeaways
- IL-11, a protein contributing to inflammation, tissue scarring, and other aging-related health issues in humans, is a promising target for anti-aging therapies.
- Blocking IL-11 in middle-aged mice reduced frailty, improved organ function, and extended lifespan by up to 25%.
- Anti-IL-11 drugs are already being tested, paving the way for specific anti-aging trials that could transform human health.
What is IL-11?
Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a type of cytokine, which is a small protein that plays a role in cell signaling. It belongs to the interleukin family, which consists of proteins that regulate immune and inflammatory responses in the body. IL-11 was first discovered in the early 1990s and has been studied for its role in various physiological and pathological processes.
Interestingly, IL-11, like other cytokines, originated in early vertebrates, including fish, as part of their immune and tissue-regeneration systems. In some species of fish and amphibians, cytokines similar to IL-11 still play a role in regenerating limbs and tissues—a function that is mainly absent in humans. Over millions of years of evolution, the function of IL-11 appears to have shifted. While it may have initially helped with tissue repair and regeneration, it has become linked to inflammation, fibrosis, and other processes associated with aging and chronic disease in humans.
In fact, IL-11 increases rapidly in aging lab animals and is known to increase in humans after the age of 55.
IL-11 and Aging
After years of falsely believing this protein to be anti-inflammatory and scar-preventing, an international research team overturned this incorrect understanding in 2018 when they showed IL-11 did, in fact, do the complete opposite and more. They linked it to chronic inflammation, thickening and scarring of tissues, muscle wasting, frailty, metabolic conditions, and other signs of aging.
The same scientific team wondered if IL-11 could be neutralized in the body to take advantage of potential health benefits. Using a range of approaches, the team tested IL-11 signaling on mice's health span and lifespan.
The study used middle-aged mice that were equivalent to around 55 in humans when IL-11 levels start to rise. They were injected with an anti-IL-11 antibody drug to stop the protein from acting in the body. Other mice of the same age who were not given the drug acted as controls.
The findings in the mice taking the drug were so remarkable the team dubbed them “supermodel grannies.”
The Protein That Could Unlock the Fountain of Youth
The scientific team witnessed terrific results in the mice, including:
- Fewer deaths from cancer.
- Reduced hallmarks of aging - the many diseases caused by fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and poor metabolism.
- Less muscle wasting and frailty; greater muscle strength.
- Better vision and hearing.
- Youthful appearance extended - thick, glossy coats compared with grey fur patches and weight gain in controls.
- Lifespan extended by 22.4% in males and 25% in females.
Stuart Cook, senior author of the study published in the journal Nature in July, said: “These findings are very exciting…
“The IL-11 gene activity increases in all tissues in the mouse with age. When it gets turned on it causes multimorbidity, which is diseases of aging and loss of function across the whole body, ranging from eyesight to hearing, from muscle to hair, and from the pump function of the heart to the kidneys.”
But after IL-11 was deactivated, “the treated mice had fewer cancers and were free from the usual signs of aging and frailty, but we also saw reduced muscle wasting, stronger muscles, better lungs, better skin, better hearing, better vision, multiple improvements. In other words, the old mice receiving anti-IL11 were healthier.
“Previously proposed life-extending drugs and treatments have either had poor side-effect profiles, or don’t work in both sexes, or could extend life, but not healthy life, however, this does not appear to be the case for IL-11.
“While these findings are only in mice, it raises the tantalizing possibility that the drugs could have a similar effect in elderly humans. Our aim is that one day, anti-IL11 therapy will be used as widely as possible, so that people the world over can lead healthier lives for longer.”
Lead author Anissa Widjaja added: “[W]e hope these findings will be highly relevant to human health given that we have seen similar effects in studies of human cells and tissues.
“This research is an important step toward better understanding aging, and we have demonstrated in mice a therapy that could potentially extend healthy aging by reducing frailty and the physiological manifestations of aging.”
Are Humans Next?
Anti-IL-11 drugs are already in human trials for the treatment of cancer, and scarring diseases of the eyes and lungs. While anti-aging effects may be gleaned from these studies, experts say starting a specific anti-aging trial will be relatively easy and they plan to in the future. We’ll keep you posted on further developments.
Meanwhile, remember that the best way to improve your health and lengthen your life we’ve found so far is to follow an anti-inflammatory lifestyle with a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, lean meats, and whole grains, as well as getting regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and following effective stress management techniques. This type of lifestyle has been shown to lengthen your cell’s telomeres and help your body fight the effects of aging.
Summary
Researchers have identified interleukin-11 (IL-11), a protein linked to aging, as a potential target for extending health and lifespan. Initially thought to reduce inflammation, IL-11 has been found to drive aging-related issues such as chronic inflammation, frailty, and metabolic decline. Scientists observed remarkable improvements by deactivating IL-11 in middle-aged mice, including reduced cancer rates, stronger muscles, and better vision and hearing. Lifespans increased by up to 25%, with few side effects. While human trials are underway, this discovery could revolutionize aging treatments and healthspan extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IL-11, and why is it important?
IL-11 is a protein linked to inflammation and aging-related conditions such as tissue scarring, frailty, and metabolic decline.
How did blocking IL-11 affect mice?
Mice treated with an anti-IL-11 drug experienced fewer cancers, reduced frailty, improved organ function, and extended lifespans by up to 25%.
Could this therapy work for humans?
While more research is needed, IL-11 is already being tested in human trials for other conditions, and it shows promise for similar anti-aging benefits.
Are there any side effects of anti-IL-11 therapy?
In mice, the therapy showed few side effects, and its safety in humans is being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials.
When might anti-IL-11 drugs be available for aging treatments?
While anti-IL-11 drugs arecurrently in trials for cancer and scarring diseases, specific anti-aging trials could follow soon, depending on results.
The Expert:
