{
  "id": 13149630,
  "title": "Scientists have identified a 'protein signature' in blood that could predict healthy aging",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/scientists-have-identified-a-protein-signature-in-blood-that-could",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-09T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Science",
    "slug": "live-science",
    "url": "https://www.livescience.com/health/aging/scientists-have-identified-a-protein-signature-in-blood-that-could-predict-healthy-aging"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have identified a protein signature in blood that could predict healthy aging. The research, published in the journal Immunity, found that individuals with a higher ratio of memory cells producing granzyme K to cells producing granzyme B tend to have healthier aging. Granzyme K-making cells, which accumulate in old lab mice and are linked to inflammation, were also observed in blood samples from older adults. The study analyzed immune cells and blood proteins from over 2,600 people aged 18 to 97, finding a stronger association between the granzyme K to granzyme B cell population ratio and the likelihood of autoimmune diseases or chronic immune conditions. In a subsequent analysis, the researchers identified a protein signature linked to an abundance of granzyme B-making cells. People predicted to have higher levels of granzyme B cells based on their blood proteins had worse health outcomes, including a higher risk of death and conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, liver, and kidney disease. The researchers concluded that this protein signature could be used as a test to determine whether a person is on the right trajectory of aging. However, they emphasized that the study does not prove that the ratio directly causes poor health outcomes, and further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.",
  "summary": "Having a certain ratio of proteins produced by immune cells in your blood is linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases, scientists report.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}