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Telomere length predicts survival independent of genetic influences.
Aging Cell. 2007 Dec; 6(6):769-74
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15 Mar 2012
Confirmation
DOI: 10.3410/f.14061993.15528101
Studies in humans have attempted to relate short telomeres to longevity with variable results. This study in elderly Swedish twins found that short telomeres conferred up to a three-fold greater risk of death during the study period.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Rodrigo Calado for his assistance in the preparation of this evaluation.
Disclosures
None declared
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Young N: F1000Prime Recommendation of [Bakaysa SL et al., Aging Cell 2007, 6(6):769-74]. In F1000Prime, 15 Mar 2012; DOI: 10.3410/f.14061993.15528101. F1000Prime.com/14061993#eval15528101
F1000Prime Recommendations, Dissents and Comments for [Bakaysa SL et al., Aging Cell 2007, 6(6):769-74]. In F1000Prime, 19 Jun 2013; F1000Prime.com/14061993
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Telomeres prevent the loss of coding genetic material during chromosomal replication. Previous research suggests that shorter telomere length may be associated with lower survival. Because genetic factors are important for individual differences in both telomere length and mortality, this association could reflect genetic or environmental pleiotropy rather than a direct biological effect of telomeres. We demonstrate through within-pair analyses of Swedish twins that telomere length at advanced age is a biomarker that predicts survival beyond the impact of early familial environment and genetic factors in common with telomere length and mortality. Twins with the shortest telomeres had a three times greater risk of death during the follow-up period than their co-twins with the longest telomere measurements [hazard ratio (RR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.1-7.3, P = 0.03].
DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2007.00340.x
PMID: 17925004
