As the world’s population continues to age, we face enormous health, social and economic challenges.
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have made a discovery that could lead to a groundbreaking discovery.
In a study published in Nature, researchers found that a protein called interleukin-11 (IL11) accelerated aging in mice. Blocking IL11 with a new treatment could counteract the effects of aging and even extend the lifespan of mice.
Their study found that as mice got older, their organs produced more IL11.
This protein helps form blood cells, prevent obesity, and boost fertility, but it also contributes to key signs of aging, such as the accumulation of unwanted fat in the liver and abdomen, and loss of muscle mass and strength.
“This project began in 2017 when we noticed elevated levels of IL11 in older tissue samples,” said Anissa Wijaya, assistant professor at Duke-NUS.
This discovery prompted the research team to develop an experimental anti-IL11 therapy.
Trials showed that the treatment improved the mice’s metabolism, converting harmful white fat into beneficial brown fat, which helps burn calories and maintain body temperature.
The treatment also improved muscle function and overall health, extending the mice’s lifespan by up to 5%.
Unlike other aging-associated drugs such as metformin or rapamycin, anti-IL11 therapy inhibits multiple aging pathways, providing broad protection against heart disease, muscle loss and frailty.
It also slowed telomere shortening and maintained the health of mitochondria, which are essential for energy production.
“Our goal is to make anti-IL11 therapy widely available so that people can live longer, healthier lives,” said Professor Stuart Cook, from Duke-NUS, Singapore’s Ministry of Health.
But he noted there are challenges in gaining approval and funding for aging-related treatments.
Duke-NUS Dean Thomas Coffman highlighted the importance of the discovery, saying, “This could enable older adults to age healthily, reducing frailty and improving cardiac and metabolic health.”
