image: Figure 2. Difference in age-dependent leukocyte telomere length change from timepoint 1 to timepoint 2 in ΔF508 homozygous vs. heterozygous. Non-linear (quadratic) association of age with the LTL attrition in CF patients homozygous for the ΔF508 mutation (n=44) compared with heterozygous patients (n=41) P-interaction between the quadratic term of age at TP1 and genotype (P=0.044), reflecting the genotype-specific non-linear LTL attrition-age association. Abbreviations: TP1: timepoint 1; TP2: timepoint 2; LTL: leukocyte telomere length.
Credit: © 2024 Martens et al.
“We hypothesized that CF patients with more severe disease characteristics exhibit shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and greater LTL attrition.”
BUFFALO, NY- September 11, 2024 – A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science), Volume 16, Issue 16 on August 29, 2024, entitled, “Leukocyte telomere length and attrition in association with disease severity in cystic fibrosis patients.”
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is marked by chronic airway inflammation and premature aging, but the link with leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as a marker of biological aging remains unclear. A growing body of research shows an association between telomere shortening and chronic, age-related respiratory diseases. Patients with chronic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) all exhibit shorter telomeres compared to age-matched controls.
Researchers Dries S. Martens, Elise J. Lammertyn, Pieter C. Goeminne, Kristine Colpaert, Marijke Proesmans, Bart M. Vanaudenaerde, Tim S. Nawrot, and Lieven J. Dupont from Hasselt University, KU Leuven, Hospital VITAZ Sint-Niklaas, University Hospitals Leuven and University Hospital of Leuven in Belgium, studied disease severity and LTL in 168 CF patients, with 85 undergoing a second retrospective LTL assessment.
“We hypothesized that CF patients with more severe disease characteristics exhibit shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and greater LTL attrition.”
In conclusion, in CF patients, more severe disease characteristics were associated with shorter LTL, potentially accelerating aging and increasing susceptibility to age-related diseases. These effects likely begin in childhood, highlighting the importance of early CF diagnosis and timely therapeutic intervention.
Continue reading: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206093
Corresponding author: Dries S. Martens - dries.martens@uhasselt.be
Video short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHIjsNRMQ1Q
Keywords: aging, cystic fibrosis, telomere length, biological aging, lung diseases, patient cohort
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Journal
Aging-US
Method of Research
News article
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Leukocyte telomere length and attrition in association with disease severity in cystic fibrosis patients
Article Publication Date
29-Aug-2024
COI Statement
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.