The gut virome – the collection of viruses inhabiting the gut – plays a crucial role in shaping the immune system and defending against infections throughout the lifespan. A new study shows that centenarians' viromes differ from those of younger people, potentially contributing to their longevity.
Researchers examined the gut viromes of centenarians and compared them with those of younger people. Then they analyzed the viruses' auxiliary metabolic gene activity. Auxiliary metabolic genes are found in bacteriophages – viruses that infect bacteria. They help viruses manipulate their host cells' metabolism to facilitate viral replication.
They found that the centenarians exhibited more diverse viromes than younger people. In addition, the centenarians' viromes demonstrated increased lytic activity, indicating that their viromes were more active in infecting and destroying bacterial cells. Finally, they found that the centenarians' gut viruses possessed an abundance of auxiliary metabolic genes involved in sulfate metabolism, the byproducts of which promote gut integrity and pathogen resistance.
These findings suggest that centenarians' viromes differ markedly from those of younger people in terms of makeup and activity, potentially contributing to centenarians' healthspan and longevity. Learn more about the role gut microbial populations play in human health in this episode featuring Dr. Eran Elinav.
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