Telomere length and telomerase activity in T-cells are biomarkers of high performing centenarians

With the goal of identifying genes and pathways potentially involved in the process of healthy aging and longevity, this series of studies was designed to characterize and compare the stimulation-induced responses in T-cells from young (23-39 years old), middle-aged (50-66 years old), old (67-83 years old) and centenarians (100+ years old). In addition, we compared whole genome expression profiles by RNA-sequencing in stimulated T-cells from the study groups listed above. Based on these studies we are now able to separate low performing from high performing centenarians providing novel biomarkers of healthy aging.