Klotho is a longevity-associated protein. Studies in mice show that upregulation lengthens life, while downregulation shortens life. In humans, levels of the soluble circulating form of α-klotho correlate with many aspects of aging. More of it is better, less of it is worse. Here, researchers show this to be the case for inflammation related to osteoarthritis. Identification of the full panoply of mechanisms by which klotho acts to improve health remains a work in progress. It is predominantly active in the kidney, and is clearly protective of kidney health and function in later life. Kidney function is important to the rest of the body, and this may be enough to explain much of the effect on health, inflammation, life span, and so forth. Circula…
Less Soluble Klotho, Greater Inflammation in Osteoarthritis
Klotho is a longevity-associated protein. Studies in mice show that upregulation lengthens life, while downregulation shortens life. In humans, levels of the soluble circulating form of α-klotho correlate with many aspects of aging. More of it is better, less of it is worse. Here, researchers show this to be the case for inflammation related to osteoarthritis. Identification of the full panoply of mechanisms by which klotho acts to improve health remains a work in progress. It is predominantly active in the kidney, and is clearly protective of kidney health and function in later life. Kidney function is important to the rest of the body, and this may be enough to explain much of the effect on health, inflammation, life span, and so forth. Circula…