16th IHIW: Immunogenetics of Aging

Ageing is a process characterised by progressive loss offunction in multiple different organ systems, such asthe nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Currentdata showing that ageing processes may be associatedwith alterations in the immune system suggest thatsome of the genetic determinants of senescence mightbe polymorphic genes that regulate immune responses.The ‘Immunogenetics of Aging’ programme was acomponent introduced in the 14th International HLAand Immunogenetics Workshop (IHIWS) and developedfurther within the 15th and 16th. The aim of thiscomponent was to determine the contribution ofimmune genes to successful ageing and an increasedcapacity to reach the extreme limits of lifespan. Withinthe 16th IHIWS, new populations were included, andthe number of samples analysed was increased. Analysiswas focused on innate immunity genes (KIR andMBL2) and their correlation with CMV serostatus.Collaborative studies suggested that both activatingand inhibitory KIR and functionally relevant MBL2haplotypes are important factors for control of CMVinfection in the elderly and therefore for chroniclow-grade inflammation. Results showed that thesegenes might be predictive biomarkers in ageing and longevity. Prevalence of MBL2 haplotypes determiningabsence of the protein (LYPB, LYQC and HYPD) wasobserved in elderly people with a higher CMV antibodytitre. The high CMV titre was also associatedwith a decreased frequency of the activatory KIR2DS5and A1B10 haplotypes in elderly. Due to the role ofKIR and low or deficient MBL haplotypes in viralinfections, these genetic markers could be consideredas indicators of a need for CMV prophylaxis at youngerage and therefore increased probability of longerlifespan.