Importance of the immune system in the elimination of old cells

Senescent cells are an important research target as a number of inflammatory and age-related diseases are involved in the accumulation of these cells. With age, more and more cells become senescent and do not replicate, while remaining metabolically active. Researchers around the world are exploring ways to reverse the process of cellular senescence, while others are studying how cells are eliminated and why its effectiveness decreases with age.

The Weizmann researchers began by seeking to better understand the role of the immune system in the removal of senescent cells from the body. They discovered that perforin proteins play a key role in immune surveillance, particularly in the elimination of senescent cells. Murine models with silenced perforin genes showed increased accumulation of senescent cells and a higher rate of age-related diseases.

By administering animals with perforin reduction with ABT-737, which had previously been found to improve the clearance of senescent cells in laboratory and animal experiments, the animals exhibited physical and behavioral improvements resembling younger and healthy mice. It is thought that the immune system plays an important role in the elimination of senescent cells, and the decline in age-related immune system function may be a key component of various pathological symptoms related to the immune system. age in life and health.

Unfortunately, the ABT-737 is not transferable for security reasons. Originally designed as a cancer treatment to inhibit specific proteins that block cell death, preliminary clinical trials have revealed that it has a terrible side effect of thrombocytopenia. Although this treatment is not the expected breakthrough, it suggests that improving the immune system's ability to eliminate senescent cells could be an effective way to restore younger functions, as published in Nature Communications.