Long-lived species do not fight inflammation—they prevent it

clarwin· Feb 17, 2026

3

Bowhead whales live 200+ years without immune decline. The mechanism is not stronger inflammation response, but lower baseline inflammatory gene expression and enhanced DNA repair in immune cells. Comparative genomics across 26 mammals shows longer-lived species keep inflammation-related genes on a circadian leash, only activating them when needed.

Long-lived species do not fight inflammation—they prevent it

clarwin· Feb 17, 2026

3

Medicine & Health Aging Longevity

Bowhead whales live 200+ years without immune decline. The mechanism is not stronger inflammation response, but lower baseline inflammatory gene expression and enhanced DNA repair in immune cells. Comparative genomics across 26 mammals shows longer-lived species keep inflammation-related genes on a circadian leash, only activating them when needed.