Detection of Eosinophils in human visceral adipose tissue using two different staining methods. Eosinophils are indicated with an arrowhead. AD: adipocytes, V: blood vessel. via DBMR, University of Bern, D. Brigger
Frailty and immune decline are two main features of old age. Researchers from the University of Bern and the University Hospital Bern now demonstrate in an animal model that these two age-related impairments can be halted and even partially reversed using a novel cell-based therapeutic approach.
Elderly people are more prone to infectious diseases as the function of their immune system continuously declines with progression of age. This becomes especially apparent during seasonal influenza outbreaks or the occurrence of other viral diseases such as COVID-19. As the efficacy of vaccination in the elderly is strongly reduced, this age group is particularly vulnerable to such infectious pathogens and often shows the highest mortality rate. In addition to the age-related immune decline aged individuals are commonly affected by frailty that negatively impacts quality-of-life. Even though the average life-expectancy for humans continuous to rise, living longer is often associated with age-related health issues.
Important role of belly fat in aging processes identified
Researchers from the Department for BioMedical Reserarch (DBMR) and the Institute of Pathology at the University of Bern as well as the University Hospital Bern (Inselspital) have set out to identify new approaches to improve health-span in a fast-growing aging population. For many years scientists speculated that chronic low-grade inflammation accelerates aging processes and the development of age-related disorders. An international team of researchers under Bernese guidance has now demonstrated that visceral adipose tissue, known as belly fat, crucially contributes to the development of chronic low-grade inflammation. Scientist around Dr. Mario Noti, formerly at the Institute of Pathology of the University of Bern and Dr. Alexander Eggel from the Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR) of the Universität of Bern reported that certain immune cells in the belly fat play and an essential role in regulating chronic low-grade inflammation and downstream aging processes. They could show, that these immune cells may be used to reverse such processes. The findings of this study have been published in the scientific journal «Nature Metabolism»and were further highlighted by a News and Views editorial article.
Belly fat as a source of chronic inflammation
The team around Dr. Noti and Dr. Eggel could demonstrated that a certain kind of immune cells, known as eosinophils, which are predominantly found in the blood circulation, are also present in belly fat of both humans and mice. Although classically known to provide protection from parasite infection and to promote allergic airway disease, eosinophils located in belly fat are responsible to maintain local immune homeostasis. With increasing age the frequency of eosinophils in belly fat declines, while the number of pro-inflammatory macrophages increases. Owing to this immune cell dysbalance, belly fat turns into a source of pro-inflammatory mediators accumulating systemically in old age.
Eosinophil cell therapy promotes rejuvenation
In a next step, the researchers investigated the possibility to reverse age-related impairments by restoring the immune cell balance in visceral adipose tissue. “In different experimental approaches, we were able to show that transfers of eosinophils from young mice into aged recipients resolved not only local but also systemic low-grade inflammation”, says Dr. Eggel. “In these experiments, we observed that transferred eosinophils were selectively homing into adipose tissue”, adds Dr. Noti. This approach had a rejuvenating effect on the aged organism. As a consequence, aged animals showed significant improvements in physical fitness as assessed by endurance and grip strength tests. Moreover, the therapy had a rejuvenating effect on the immune system manifesting in improved vaccination responses of aged mice.
Translating findings into clinics
“Our results indicate that the biological processes of aging and the associated functional impairments are more plastic than previously assumed”, states Dr. Noti. Importantly, the observed age-related changes in adipose immune cell distribution in mice were also confirmed in humans. “A future direction of our research will be to now leverage the gained knowledge for the establishment of targeted therapeutic approaches to promote and sustain healthy aging in humans”, says Dr. Eggel.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Reversing frailty and immune decline
- New treatment could reverse hair loss caused by an autoimmune skin disease
Researchers developed a potential new treatment for alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. The microneedle patch delivers immune-regulating molecules that can teach T cells not ...
- Reversing the decline among M40
PETALING JAYA: More than 600, 000 households from the middle 40% (M40) income group have slipped into the bottom 40% (B40) category as the Covid-19 crisis delivered a major blow on Malaysians ...
- New research sheds light on the weakening immune response observed in older adults
"Understanding why the immune system is no longer effective in fighting off infections in old age is key to be able to develop treatments that may be able to reverse this decline. Our work is the ...
- New research sheds light on the weakening immune response observed in older adults
“Understanding why the immune system is no longer effective in fighting off infections in old age is key to be able to develop treatments that may be able to reverse this decline. Our work is the ...
- What is a reverse mortgage and how does it work?
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan older homeowners can use to turn the equity of their primary residence into income. Instead of taking out a large loan to buy a home and slowly paying it back ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Reversing frailty and immune decline
[google_news title=”” keyword=”reversing frailty and immune decline” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Reversing age-related impairments
- 12 easy ways to keep your mind sharp as you age
Getting older is a blessing, but it our thinking skills can decline. We asked the experts how to keep the grey matter active ...
- Does 'Brain Training' Really Improve Cognition and Forestall Cognitive Decline?
Some companies claimed that engaging in "brain games" can improve cognition or stave off cognitive decline. What's the evidence and do crosswords and Sudoku count?
- Young mouse plasma found to reverse aging in older mice
Intensive efforts to identify the plasma factors implicated in reversing age-related impairments have led to the discovery of rejuvenation, pro-youth, or anti-aging factors; however, their ...
- Accelerated aging may be a cause of increased cancers in people under 55
and cognitive impairment.” So ... of aging and potential clinical interventions to prevent, delay or treat age-related diseases. There are more than 80 ongoing clinical trials being done ...
- Wet vs. Dry Macular Degeneration: What Is the Difference?
Share on Pinterest FG Trade/Getty Images Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common visual impairment ... dry AMD and no treatments known to reverse its effects on your vision.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Reversing age-related impairments
[google_news title=”” keyword=”reversing age-related impairments” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]