Does Localisation of BPIFB4 Support Its Proposed Function in Extending Healthy Longevity?

In 2015 a polymorphic variant of Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) Fold containing Family B Member 4 (BPIFB4) was genetically associated with longevity. Following on from this intriguing observation, a literature has developed that suggests that this poorly characterised secreted protein, plays a pleiotropic role in maintaining human health and extending lifespan. In this article we briefly review what is known about BPIFB4 and discuss how its sites of expression may impact on these proposed functions.