More anti-inflammatory genes mean longer lifespans for mammals
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 - 10:30
in Biology & Nature
We age in part thanks to “friendly fire” from the immune system — inflammation and chemically active molecules called reactive oxygen species that help fight infection, but also wreak molecular havoc, contributing to frailty, disability and disease. The CD33rSiglec family of proteins are known to help protect our cells from becoming inflammatory collateral damage, prompting researchers to ask whether CD33rSiglecs might help mammals live longer, too.