Scientific Breakthrough That Could Change Immunological Aging: What Have MIT Scientists Discovered?

SadaNews - Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that could pave the way for rejuvenating the declining immune system with aging, in a finding that may contribute to enhancing the body's resistance to diseases in later stages of life, according to a report published by the scientific website "ScienceAlert".

According to a study published in the journal Nature, a research team from the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University focused on the thymus gland, a small organ located in front of the heart that plays a pivotal role in producing T cells, which are among the most important pillars of the immune system.

Studies show that from the onset of puberty, the thymus gland begins to undergo gradual shrinkage, leading to a decrease in the production of T cells responsible for recognizing and attacking pathogens and cancer cells. This decline is one of the primary reasons for weakened immunity in older adults.

In an effort to overcome this issue, researchers successfully conducted experiments on mice to repurpose a part of the liver to function as a functional substitute for the thymus gland by stimulating it to send the necessary molecular signals for T cell production.

MIT neuroscientist Mirko Friedrich said, "As we age, the immune system begins to decline, and our goal was to find a way to maintain this immune protection for a longer period of time."

The researchers initially compared the immune systems of young mice to those of older ones, identifying three key signaling proteins whose levels decline with age, which play a crucial role in T cell formation and maintenance of their effectiveness.

Based on this, the team designed a treatment utilizing messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which acts as instructions for protein production. This treatment was repeatedly injected into the livers of older mice, given the liver's high capacity to produce proteins even in advanced stages of age.

Researchers noted that the liver is an ideal target for this type of therapy, as it processes large amounts of blood coming from the digestive system, and it is medically easy to access.

After four weeks of treatment, the older mice showed a significant increase in the number and diversity of T cells, along with a stronger response to vaccines and a better ability to resist cancerous tumors, indicating a restoration of part of the immune system's youthful efficiency.

MIT neuroscientist Feng Chang explained that "this approach is an artificial method to engineer the body to mimic the secretion of immune factors that were produced by the thymus gland."

Researchers pointed out that the enhancement of T cell production was temporary, which is a positive aspect that reduces the risk of hyperactivation of the immune system, which could lead to inflammation or autoimmune diseases.

A First Step Towards Human Application

Despite the encouraging results, the team emphasized that this technique is still in its early stages and requires further studies to prove its efficacy and safety in humans. The researchers plan to expand their investigations to include other animal types and different patterns of immune cells.

Scientists hope this new approach will contribute to extending the period of good health in humans by maintaining a more efficient immune system as they age.