Aging Immune Cells Could be Rejuvenated by Blocking Certain Molecules

Researchers have discovered how an interplay between nutrition and metabolism could help to slow down the aging process.

"Our life expectancy at birth is now twice as long as it was 150 years ago and our lifespans are on the increase. Healthcare costs associated with ageing are immense and there will be an increasing number of older people in our population who will have a lower quality of life due in part to immune decline. It is therefore essential to understand reasons why immunity decreases and whether it is possible to counteract some of these changes," said lead study author and Professor Arne Akbar at the University College London, in a news release.

Findings revealed that enhancing immunity to disease through certain dietary interventions could help make existing immune system therapies more effective.

Previous findings have shown that aging in immune system cells, also known as T lymphocytes, can be controlled via the molecule p38 MAPK that works in preventing certain cellular functions.

But could blocking one of several molecules involved in the process reconstitute old T lymphocytes?

"An important question is whether this knowledge can be used to enhance immunity during aging. Many drug companies have already developed p38 inhibitors in attempts to treat inflammatory diseases. One new possibility for their use is that these compounds could be used to enhance immunity in older subjects. Another possibility is that dietary instead of drug intervention could be used to enhance immunity since metabolism and senescence are two sides of the same coin."

More information regarding the findigns can be seen via the journal Nature Immunology.