Scientists have discovered a gene that may play a big role in the aging process. This finding could lead to new ways to treat age-related diseases and help people stay healthier as they grow older.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, focuses on a gene called EDA2R (Ectodysplasin A2 Receptor). Researchers found that this gene is closely linked to inflammation—a key cause of many health problems like heart disease, diabetes, memory loss, and muscle weakness.
The research was led by Dr. Ildus Akhmetov from Liverpool John Moores University, along with experts from Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. They discovered that EDA2R might not just be a sign of aging—it could actually help cause aging in the body.
As people age, their bodies often have more inflammation, even at low levels. This slow-burning inflammation can damage tissues and organs over time. By looking at a large collection of genetic data, the researchers saw that EDA2R was connected to aging in many different organs.
The link between EDA2R and aging was also found in animals. Higher levels of this gene were tied to faster aging, more inflammation, and problems with blood vessels.
In lab tests on cells, the researchers found that too much EDA2R led to harmful inflammation and muscle problems. These problems looked similar to the muscle loss seen in older people. But when they blocked the gene’s activity, the harmful effects got better.
The scientists also looked at blood samples from more than 5,000 people. They found that those with high levels of EDA2R also had more C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation throughout the body. This shows that EDA2R may play a role in body-wide inflammation and could lead to health issues as people age.
Dr. Akhmetov says this discovery could help create new treatments for aging. He believes that lowering the activity of the EDA2R gene might slow down health problems like heart disease, brain decline, and muscle loss.
He also pointed out that some healthy habits and treatments might already help reduce this gene’s activity.
“There is already evidence that calorie restriction, exercise, the dietary supplement ginkgo, and the diabetes drug metformin can reduce EDA2R levels,” Dr. Akhmetov said. “This is a promising path for reducing inflammation and staying healthier as we age.”
Understanding how EDA2R works could lead to better ways to manage aging and improve life quality. Scientists will continue researching how to safely target this gene in future treatments.
If you want to learn more about fighting inflammation, you can read about how turmeric may help, or which foods to eat to reduce chronic inflammation. Other studies have found that plant-based diets and vitamin D may also lower inflammation.
These research findings were published in Nature Communications.
If you care about inflammation, please read studies about turmeric: nature’s golden answer to inflammation, and what to eat to reduce chronic Inflammation.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how a plant-based diet could help ease inflammation, and Vitamin D deficiency linked to increased inflammation.
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