Rejuvenation of the immune system

Scientists have slowed down the aging of immune system cells

<url>Scientists from the UK and Spain have studied the relationship between immunity and aging processes, and have also developed special drugs to slow down the aging of cells of the immune system.

The authors published the results of their research in the journal Nature Immunology (Lanna et al., The kinase p38 activated by the metabolic regulator AMPK and scaffold TAB1 drives the senescence of human T cells; press release Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Are you as old as what you eat? Researchers learn how to rejuvenate aging immune cells published on EurekAlert! – VM).

In previous studies, scientists have found that the cells of the immune system – T-lymphocytes – are controlled by special molecules called mitogen-activated kinases (MAPK) p38, which have an inhibitory effect on a number of protective functions of lymphocytes.

In their new work, the authors found out that the inhibitory effect of MAPK p38 can be eliminated if special medical treatment is used. Scientists have found that the functions of old T-lymphocytes can be restored by blocking MAPK p38 with the help of special drugs. Such an intervention makes it possible to exclude a number of participants from the chain of biochemical reactions in the cell, which does not allow MAPK p38 to influence the work of T-lymphocytes.

After drug therapy of old T-lymphocytes, researchers noticed improvements in the functioning of mitochondria, formations that carry the energy functions of the cell, and observed an increase in the cell's ability to reproduce.

Scientists have noted that with age there is a decrease in the level of immunity. The elderly are more likely to suffer from cancer and viral infections. They also have a decrease in the effectiveness of preventive measures to prevent diseases, such as vaccination.

The work of scientists makes it possible to create more effective diets in order to maintain immunity at the proper level, as well as to slow down the aging process: many pharmaceutical companies have already developed MAPK p38 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases or are beginning to do so.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru25.08.2014