FOXO3 variants are beneficial for longevity in Southern Chinese living in the Red River Basin: A case-control study and meta-analysis

Genetic variants associated with longevity in long-living Indians

Genetic factors play a significant role in determining an individual's longevity. The present study was aimed at identifying genetic variants associated with longevity in Indian population. Long living individuals (LLIs), aged 85+, were compared with younger controls, aged 18-49 years, using data from GenomegaDB, a genetic database of Indians living in India. An in-house developed custom chip, having variants associated with various cancers, cardiovascular, neurological, gastro-intestinal, metabolic and auto-immune disorders, was used to generate genotype data. Logistic regression analysis with sex and top three genetic principal components as covariates resulted in 9 variants to be significantly associated with longevity at a p-value threshold of 5 × 10-4. Alleles associated with slower heart rate (rs365990, MYH6), decreased risk of osteoporosis and short body height (rs2982570, ESR1), decreased risk of schizophrenia (rs1339227, RIMS1-KCNQ5) and decreased risk of anxiety and neuroticism (rs391957, HSPA5) were found to have higher frequency in LLIs. Alleles associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (rs3903239, GORAB-PRRX1) and biliary disorders (rs2002042, ABCC2) were found to have lower frequency. The G allele of rs2802292 from FOXO3A gene, associated with longevity in Japanese, German and French centenarians, was also found to be significant in this population (P = 0.032). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the genes involved in oxidative stress, apoptosis, DNA damage repair, glucose metabolism and energy metabolism were significantly involved in affecting the longevity. Results of our study demonstrate the genetic basis of healthy aging and longevity in the population.

FOXO3A-short is a novel regulator of non-oxidative glucose metabolism associated with human longevity

Intronic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FOXO3A are associated with human longevity. Currently, it is unclear how these SNPs alter FOXO3A functionality and human physiology, thereby influencing lifespan. Here, we identify a primate-specific FOXO3A transcriptional isoform, FOXO3A-Short (FOXO3A-S), encoding a major longevity-associated SNP, rs9400239 (C or T), within its 5' untranslated region. The FOXO3A-S mRNA is highly expressed in the skeletal muscle and has very limited expression in other tissues. We find that the rs9400239 variant influences the stability and functionality of the primarily nuclear protein(s) encoded by the FOXO3A-S mRNA. Assessment of the relationship between the FOXO3A-S polymorphism and peripheral glucose clearance during insulin infusion (Rd clamp) in a cohort of Danish twins revealed that longevity T-allele carriers have markedly faster peripheral glucose clearance rates than normal lifespan C-allele carriers. In vitro experiments in human myotube cultures utilizing overexpression of each allele showed that the C-allele represses glycolysis independently of PI3K signaling, while overexpression of the T-allele represses glycolysis only in a PI3K-inactive background. Supporting this finding inducible knockdown of the FOXO3A-S C-allele in cultured myotubes increases the glycolytic rate. We conclude that the rs9400239 polymorphism acts as a molecular switch which changes the identity of the FOXO3A-S-derived protein(s), which in turn alters the relationship between FOXO3A-S and insulin/PI3K signaling and glycolytic flux in the skeletal muscle. This critical difference endows carriers of the FOXO3A-S T-allele with consistently higher insulin-stimulated peripheral glucose clearance rates, which may contribute to their longer and healthier lifespans.

Identification and replication of novel genetic variants of ABO gene to reduce the incidence of diseases and promote longevity by modulating lipid homeostasis

Genes related to human longevity have not been studied so far, and need to be investigated thoroughly. This study aims to explore the relationship among ABO gene variants, lipid levels, and longevity phenotype in individuals (≥90yrs old) without adverse outcomes. A genotype-phenotype study was performed based on 5803 longevity subjects and 7026 younger controls from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Four ABO gene variants associated with healthy longevity (rs8176719 C, rs687621 G, rs643434 A, and rs505922 C) were identified and replicated in the CLHLS GWAS data analysis and found significantly higher in longevity individuals than controls. The Bonferroni adjusted p-value and OR range were 0.013-0.020 and 1.126-1.151, respectively. According to the results of linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis, the above four variants formed a block on the ABO gene (D’=1, r²_range = 0.585-0.995). The carriers with genotypes rs687621 GG, rs643434 AX, or rs505922 CX (p_range = 2.728 x 10^-107-5.940 x 10^-14; OR_range = 1.004-4.354) and haplotype CGAC/XGXX (p = 2.557 x 10^-27; OR = 2.255) had a substantial connection with longevity, according to the results of genetic model analysis. Following the genotype and metabolic phenotype analysis, it has been shown that the longevity individuals with rs687621 GG, rs643434 AX, and rs505922 CX had a positive association with HDL-c, LDL-c, TC, TG (p_range = 2.200 x 10^-5-0.036, OR_range = 1.546-1.709), and BMI normal level (p_range = 2.690 x 10^-4-0.026, OR_range = 1.530-1.997). Finally, two pathways involving vWF/ADAMTS13 and the inflammatory markers (sE-selectin/ICAM1) that co-regulated lipid levels by glycosylation and effects on each other were speculated. In conclusion, the association between the identified longevity-associated ABO variants and better health lipid profile was elucidated, thus the findings can help in maintaining normal lipid metabolic phenotypes in the longevity population.

A description of the relationship in healthy longevity and aging-related disease: from gene to protein

Human longevity is a complex phenotype influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. It is also known to be associated with various types of age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The central dogma of molecular biology demonstrates the conversion of DNA to RNA to the encoded protein. These proteins interact to form complex cell signaling pathways, which perform various biological functions. With prolonged exposure to the environment, the in vivo homeostasis adapts to the changes, and finally, humans adopt the phenotype of longevity or aging-related diseases. In this review, we focus on two different states: longevity and aging-related diseases, including CVD and AD, to discuss the relationship between genetic characteristics, including gene variation, the level of gene expression, regulation of gene expression, the level of protein expression, both genetic and environmental influences and homeostasis based on these phenotypes shown in organisms.

Nature Versus Nurture: What Can be Learned from the Oldest-Old's Claims About Longevity?

Beneficial genetic or environmental factors that influence the length and quality of life can be evaluated while studying supercentenarians. The oldest-old can withstand serious/fatal illnesses more than their peers and/or their aging rate is decreased. Supercentenarians are an interesting group of individuals whose lifestyle is not particularly healthy according to the common guidelines, namely some of them seem to have similar harmful behaviors, but still manage to stay healthier for longer, and while eventually dying from the same degenerative diseases as the general population, they develop symptoms 20-30 years later. As there are not many supercentenarians by definition, it is worthwhile to diligently collect their data to enable future meta-analyses on larger samples; much can be learned from supercentenarians' habits and lifestyle choices about the aging process. Contributions of genetics, lifestyle choices, and epigenetics to their extended life span are discussed here.

Association of heme oxygenase-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in Chinese Han population

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which is associated with oxidative stress and the induction of host antioxidants to counteract this response. The heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) single nucleotide polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with many critical diseases. Our purpose was to investigate the association of HO‐1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with the susceptibility to tuberculosis in Chinese Han population.

Methods

A case‐control study was performed on Chinese Han population, and a group of 638 TB patients was compared to 610 healthy controls. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including rs2071746, rs5995098, and rs8140669 were genotyped using the MassARRAY platform. The genotype frequency was compared between TB patients and healthy controls. The association between the three genetic models of the three SNPs and TB risk was further investigated.

Results

The results showed that, in the case of additive model, there was significant difference of the genotype frequencies of SNP rs8140669 between the TB patients and control groups (P = .038). In the case of dominant model, the genotype frequencies of SNP rs8140669 may have difference between the two cohorts (P = .051), while the allele frequency and genotype distribution for other two SNPs showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > .05).

Conclusion

HO‐1 polymorphism was associated with TB susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

The role of FOXO3 polymorphisms in susceptibility to tuberculosis in a Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant worldwide health problem, and is caused by Mycobacteria tuberculosis. Recent studies have suggested that FOXO3 plays vital roles in the risk of immune-related infectious diseases such as TB.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present study aimed to evaluate FOXO3 genetic variants and TB risk. We recruited 510 TB patients and 508 healthy controls in this study. All subjects were genotyped with the Agena MassARRAY platform. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression adjusted for age and gender. Our result revealed that rs3800229 T/G and rs4946935 G/A genotypes significantly increased the risk of TB (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.04-1.74, p = 0.026; OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.03-1.73, p = 0.029, respectively). In stratified analysis according to gender and age, we observed that rs3800229 T/G and rs4946935 G/A genotypes were associated with an increase the risk of TB among males and age ≤41 years, respectively (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.06-2.04, p = 0.022 and OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.05-2.02, p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that rs3800229 and rs4946935 in FOXO3 were associated with a risk of TB in the Chinese population.

Genetic and epigenetic regulation of human aging and longevity

Here we summarize the latest data on genetic and epigenetic contributions to human aging and longevity. Whereas environmental and lifestyle factors are important at younger ages, the contribution of genetics appears more important in reaching extreme old age. Genome-wide studies have implicated ~57 gene loci in lifespan. Epigenomic changes during aging profoundly affect cellular function and stress resistance. Dysregulation of transcriptional and chromatin networks is likely a crucial component of aging. Large-scale bioinformatic analyses have revealed involvement of numerous interaction networks. As the young well-differentiated cell replicates into eventual senescence there is drift in the highly regulated chromatin marks towards an entropic middle-ground between repressed and active, such that genes that were previously inactive "leak". There is a breakdown in chromatin connectivity such that topologically associated domains and their insulators weaken, and well-defined blocks of constitutive heterochromatin give way to generalized, senescence-associated heterochromatin, foci. Together, these phenomena contribute to aging.

FOXO3 on the Road to Longevity: Lessons From SNPs and Chromatin Hubs

Health span is driven by a precise interplay between genes and the environment. Cell response to environmental cues is mediated by signaling cascades and genetic variants that affect gene expression by regulating chromatin plasticity. Indeed, they can promote the interaction of promoters with regulatory elements by forming active chromatin hubs. FOXO3 encodes a transcription factor with a strong impact on aging and age-related phenotypes, as it regulates stress response, therefore affecting lifespan. A significant association has been shown between human longevity and several FOXO3 variants located in intron 2. This haplotype block forms a putative aging chromatin hub in which FOXO3 has a central role, as it modulates the physical connection and activity of neighboring genes involved in age-related processes. Here we describe the role of FOXO3 and its single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in healthy aging, with a focus on the enhancer region encompassing the SNP rs2802292, which upregulates FOXO3 expression and can promote the activity of the aging hub in response to different stress stimuli. FOXO3 protective effect on lifespan may be due to the accessibility of this region to transcription factors promoting its expression. This could in part explain the differences in FOXO3 association with longevity between genders, as its activity in females may be modulated by estrogens through estrogen receptor response elements located in the rs2802292-encompassing region. Altogether, the molecular mechanisms described here may help establish whether the rs2802292 SNP can be taken advantage of in predictive medicine and define the potential of targeting FOXO3 for age-related diseases.

Longevity-Associated Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Elderly Women

Background

This study aimed to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

Material/Methods

A total of 843 elderly residents from east China were enrolled in this study, which included 426 patients with type 2 diabetes and 417 controls. Four SNPs were analyzed by qPCR. Genotype frequencies of the 4 SNPs in FOXO3 of the patients and controls were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The association between each SNP and clinical indicators was analyzed by linear regression analysis.

Results

None of the 4 FOXO3 variants, rs13217795, rs2764264, rs2802292, and rs13220810, were associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes compared to controls. However, rs13217795, rs2764264, and rs2802292 were associated with lower blood glucose levels. Notably, further subgroup analysis indicated that the longevity-associated alleles of FOXO3 SNP (rs13217795, rs2764264, and rs2802292) were associated with lower blood glucose levels in women (TC versus TT, −0.724 mmol/L, P=0.005; CC versus TT, −1.093 mmol/L, P=0.03; TC versus TT, −0.801 mmol/L, P=0.002; CC versus TT, −1.212 mmol/L, P=0.001; TG versus TT, −0.754 mmol/L, P=0.004; and GG versus TT, −1.150 mmol/L, P=0.001) but not in men.

Conclusions

The results indicated that longevity-associated FOXO3 variants were correlated with lower blood glucose levels in elderly women with type 2 diabetes in east China.

Effects of FOXO3 Polymorphisms on Survival to Extreme Longevity in Four Centenarian Studies

Previous studies note specific FOXO3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with human longevity. However, it is not clear if these SNPs influence mortality risk beyond the oldest 1 percentile of survival. Using data from four longevity studies (total n = 8,266, age range 96-119 years for cases), we tested gene-wide association between 107 SNPs and survival to at least the oldest 1 percentile of survival for the 1900 birth cohort (≥96, white males; ≥100 white females). This analysis replicated 17 previously published variants, several of which are significant expression quantitative trait loci of FOXO3; rs6911407 and rs2253310 have the most significant effect on FOXO3 expressions in brain tissue. We then performed a survival analysis to determine if any of these 107 SNPs impact upon mortality risk beyond the oldest 1 percentile. While none of the 17 published variants was significantly associated with mortality risk beyond this extreme age, an uncommon homozygote genotype of rs9384680 exhibited the strongest association with mortality risk (p = 2.68E-04) in only 11 females, a heretofore unreported association. These analyses replicate the previous association of common variants of FOXO3 with older age but these common variants do not modify risk for mortality at ages beyond the oldest 1 percentile age of survival.

Recent advances in understanding the role of FOXO3

The forkhead box O3 (FOXO3, or FKHRL1) protein is a member of the FOXO subclass of transcription factors. FOXO proteins were originally identified as regulators of insulin-related genes; however, they are now established regulators of genes involved in vital biological processes, including substrate metabolism, protein turnover, cell survival, and cell death. FOXO3 is one of the rare genes that have been consistently linked to longevity in in vivo models. This review provides an update of the most recent research pertaining to the role of FOXO3 in (i) the regulation of protein turnover in skeletal muscle, the largest protein pool of the body, and (ii) the genetic basis of longevity. Finally, it examines (iii) the role of microRNAs in the regulation of FOXO3 and its impact on the regulation of the cell cycle.

The longevity SNP rs2802292 uncovered: HSF1 activates stress-dependent expression of FOXO3 through an intronic enhancer

The HSF and FOXO families of transcription factors play evolutionarily conserved roles in stress resistance and lifespan. In humans, the rs2802292 G-allele at FOXO3 locus has been associated with longevity in all human populations tested; moreover, its copy number correlated with reduced frequency of age-related diseases in centenarians. At the molecular level, the intronic rs2802292 G-allele correlated with increased expression of FOXO3, suggesting that FOXO3 intron 2 may represent a regulatory region. Here we show that the 90-bp sequence around the intronic single nucleotide polymorphism rs2802292 has enhancer functions, and that the rs2802292 G-allele creates a novel HSE binding site for HSF1, which induces FOXO3 expression in response to diverse stress stimuli. At the molecular level, HSF1 mediates the occurrence of a promoter-enhancer interaction at FOXO3 locus involving the 5'UTR and the rs2802292 region. These data were confirmed in various cellular models including human HAP1 isogenic cell lines (G/T). Our functional studies highlighted the importance of the HSF1-FOXO3-SOD2/CAT/GADD45A cascade in cellular stress response and survival by promoting ROS detoxification, redox balance and DNA repair. Our findings suggest the existence of an HSF1-FOXO3 axis in human cells that could be involved in stress response pathways functionally regulating lifespan and disease susceptibility.

Identification of new genetic variants of HLA-DQB1 associated with human longevity and lipid homeostasis-a cross-sectional study in a Chinese population

Healthy longevity has been an unremitting pursuit of human, but its genetic and the environment causes are still unclear. As longevity population is a good healthy aging model for understanding how the body begin aging and the process of aging, and plasma lipids metabolism and balance is a very important to life maintain and physiologic functional turnover. It is important to explore how the effect of genetic variants associated long-life individuals on lipids metabolism and balance. Therefore, we developed a comparative study based population which contains 2816 longevity and 2819 control. Through whole-exome sequencing and sanger sequencing genotypes, we identified four new single nucleotide polymorphisms of HLA-DQB1(major histocompatibility complex, class II, DQ beta 1), rs41542812 rs1049107 rs1049100 rs3891176(P_range=0.048-2.811×10⁻⁸ for allele frequencies), associated with longevity in Chinese Longevity Cohort. Further, by analysis of the longevity-variants linked to blood lipids, we identified HLA-DQB1 rs1049107, T-carriers (P_HDL=0.006, OR: 11.277; P_TG=9.095×10⁻⁷, OR: 0.025; P_LDL/HDL=0.047, OR: 1.901) and HLA-DQB1 rs1049100, T-carriers (P_TG=1.799×10-6, OR: 0.028) associated with lipid homeostasis in long lived individuals. Our finding showed that longevity and lipid homeostasis were associated with HLA-DQB1 and suggested that immune gene variants could act on both new function of maintaining the homeostasis and anti-aging in longevity.

Signal Transduction Pathways in Ageing

It is now widely recognised that ageing and its associated functional decline are regulated by a wide range of molecules that fit into specific cellular pathways. Here, we describe several of the evolutionary conserved cellular signalling pathways that govern organismal ageing and discuss how their identification, and work on the individual molecules that contribute to them, has aided in the design of therapeutic strategies to alleviate the adverse effects of ageing and age-related disease.

Epistasis, physical capacity-related genes and exceptional longevity: FNDC5 gene interactions with candidate genes FOXOA3 and APOE

BACKGROUND

Forkhead box O3A (FOXOA3) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) are arguably the strongest gene candidates to influence human exceptional longevity (EL, i.e., being a centenarian), but inconsistency exists among cohorts. Epistasis, defined as the effect of one locus being dependent on the presence of 'modifier genes', may contribute to explain the missing heritability of complex phenotypes such as EL. We assessed the potential association of epistasis among candidate polymorphisms related to physical capacity, as well as antioxidant defense and cardiometabolic traits, and EL in the Japanese population. A total of 1565 individuals were studied, subdivided into 822 middle-aged controls and 743 centenarians.

RESULTS

We found a FOXOA3 rs2802292 T-allele-dependent association of fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 (FDNC5) rs16835198 with EL: the frequency of carriers of the FOXOA3 rs2802292 T-allele among individuals with the rs16835198 GG genotype was significantly higher in cases than in controls (P < 0.05). On the other hand, among non-carriers of the APOE 'risk' ε4-allele, the frequency of the FDNC5 rs16835198 G-allele was higher in cases than in controls (48.4% vs. 43.6%, P < 0.05). Among carriers of the 'non-risk' APOE ε2-allele, the frequency of the rs16835198 G-allele was higher in cases than in controls (49% vs. 37.3%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The association of FDNC5 rs16835198 with EL seems to depend on the presence of the FOXOA3 rs2802292 T-allele and we report a novel association between FNDC5 rs16835198 stratified by the presence of the APOE ε2/ε4-allele and EL. More research on 'gene*gene' and 'gene*environment' effects is needed in the field of EL.

FOXO Transcriptional Factors and Long-Term Living

Several pathologies such as neurodegeneration and cancer are associated with aging, which is affected by many genetic and environmental factors. Healthy aging conceives human longevity, possibly due to carrying the defensive genes. For instance, FOXO (forkhead box O) genes determine human longevity. FOXO transcription factors are involved in the regulation of longevity phenomenon via insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling. Only one FOXO gene (FOXO DAF-16) exists in invertebrates, while four FOXO genes, that is, FOXO1, FOXO3, FOXO4, and FOXO6 are found in mammals. These four transcription factors are involved in the multiple cellular pathways, which regulate growth, stress resistance, metabolism, cellular differentiation, and apoptosis in mammals. However, the accurate mode of longevity by FOXO factors is unclear until now. This article describes briefly the existing knowledge that is related to the role of FOXO factors in human longevity.

Genetic Association Analysis of Common Variants in FOXO3 Related to Longevity in a Chinese Population

Recent studies suggested that forkhead box class O3 (FOXO3) functions as a key regulator for the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1signaling pathway that influence aging and longevity. This study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the association of common genetic variants in FOXO3 with human longevity in a Chinese population. Eighteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FOXO3 were successfully genotyped in 616 unrelated long-lived individuals and 846 younger controls. No nominally significant effects were found. However, when stratifying by gender, four SNPs (rs10499051, rs7762395, rs4946933 and rs3800230) previously reported to be associated with longevity and one novel SNP (rs4945815) showed significant association with male longevity (P-values: 0.007–0.032), but all SNPs were not associated with female longevity. Correspondingly, males carrying the G-G-T-G haplotype of rs10499051, rs7762395, rs4945815 and rs3800230 tended to have longer lifespan than those carrying the most common haplotype A-G-C-T (odds ratio = 2.36, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–4.63, P = 0.013). However, none of the associated SNPs and haplotype remained significant after Bonferroni correction. In conclusion, our findings revealed that the FOXO3 variants we tested in our population of Chinese men and women were associated with longevity in men only. None of these associations passed Bonferroni correction. Bonferroni correction is very stringent for association studies. We therefore believe the effects of these nominally significant variants on human longevity will be confirmed by future studies.

Association Analysis of FOXO3 Longevity Variants With Blood Pressure and Essential Hypertension

BACKGROUND

The minor alleles of 3 FOXO3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)- rs2802292 , rs2253310 , and rs2802288 -are associated with human longevity. The aim of the present study was to test these SNPs for association with blood pressure (BP) and essential hypertension (EHT).

METHODS

In a primary study involving Americans of Japanese ancestry drawn from the Family Blood Pressure Program II we genotyped 411 female and 432 male subjects aged 40-79 years and tested for statistical association by contingency table analysis and generalized linear models that included logistic regression adjusting for sibling correlation in the data set. Replication of rs2802292 with EHT was attempted in Japanese SONIC study subjects and of each SNP in a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of BP in individuals of European ancestry.

RESULTS

In Americans of Japanese ancestry, women homozygous for the longevity-associated (minor) allele of each FOXO3 SNP had 6mm Hg lower systolic BP and 3mm Hg lower diastolic BP compared with major allele homozygotes (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05 and >0.05, respectively). Frequencies of minor allele homozygotes were 3.3-3.9% in women with EHT compared with 9.5-9.6% in normotensive women ( P = 0.03-0.04; haplotype analysis P = 0.0002). No association with BP or EHT was evident in males. An association with EHT was seen for the minor allele of rs2802292 in the Japanese SONIC cohort ( P = 0.03), while in European subjects the minor allele of each SNP was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP.

CONCLUSION

Longevity-associated FOXO3 variants may be associated with lower BP and EHT in Japanese women.

rs2802292 polymorphism in the FOXO3A gene and exceptional longevity in two ethnically distinct cohorts

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have indicated that the rs2802292 polymorphism in the human forkhead box O3A (FOXO3A) gene might be associated with exceptional longevity (EL, i.e., living 100+ years), although the results are conflicting.

STUDY DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Using a case-control design, we investigated the distribution of the rs2802292 polymorphism in two ethnically distinct cohorts of centenarians (cases) and younger adults (controls). The first cohort included Japanese individuals (733 centenarians and 820 controls) and the second was from Northern Italy (79 disease-free centenarians and 316 controls).

RESULTS

No statistically significant association was found between the rs2802292 polymorphism and EL in either cohort (either examined in their entirety or in a sex-based analysis).

CONCLUSIONS

In light of our negative findings, further research and resequencing efforts are needed to shed more light on the potential association between EL and FOXO3A polymorphisms.