Specialists from Israel have discovered a not fully understood mechanism in our immune system that plays a role in counteracting aging. Scientists have identified a specific fraction of T-helper cells (CD4) that activates in response to senescent cells and is capable of selectively destroying them, thereby reducing the level of chronic inflammation characteristic of aging. Senescent cells, often called “zombie cells,” cease to divide but remain active, releasing substances that provoke permanent inflammation and destruction of surrounding tissues. This phenomenon underlies many age-related diseases. In their work, the authors demonstrated that upon contact with such cells, a portion of CD4 lymphocytes transform into highly specialized combat units called CD4-Eomes. In rodent experiments, this population of immune cells successfully curbed the accumulation of “zombie” cells in various organs. Furthermore, when scientists inhibited the production of CD4-Eomes in these animals, a significant increase in the number of senescent cells was observed, clearly proving the crucial protective function of this subtype. Neurophysiologist Alon Monsonego noted that this discovery calls into question the previous doctrine which held that rejuvenation requires a complete restoration of the immune response to the level characteristic of a young organism (age 20). Conversely, the findings suggest that mature immunity is already equipped with built-in systems for managing senescent cells, and the goal of further research is to learn how to activate and purposefully engage these natural mechanisms.
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