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Sequence variations in a variety of pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory cytokine genes have been found to influence successful aging and longevity. Because of the role played by the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) cytokine in inflammation and regulation of immune responses, the variability of the TGF‐β1 gene may affect longevity by playing a role in inflamm‐aging. Two polymorphisms, G/A₋₈₀₀ and C/T₋₅₀₉, located in the 5′ region, and two missense polymorphisms, T/C₈₆₉ and G/C₉₁₅ which change (Leu > Pro)₁₀ and (Arg > Pro)₂₅, respectively, located in the signal peptide, were analysed in 419 subjects from Northern and Central Italy, including 172 centenarians and 247 younger controls. In addition, the effects of the TGF‐β1 genetic variability on plasma levels of the biologically active form (naturally processed) of this cytokine were studied in 143 randomly selected subjects, including 73 centenarians …