Abundance of Rare Immune Cell Type in Supercentenarians May Help Maintain Healthy Aging
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered that supercentenarians possess an abundance of rare CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which may help the immune system adapt to aging. These cells appear to assist in longevity by recognizing and destroying dangerous cells, including potential cancer cells.
Why it matters
Understanding the mechanisms of healthy aging at the cellular level could lead to new therapeutic approaches for age-related diseases and immune decline.
Aging is accompanied by an increased risk of certain diseases, alongside weakened immunity to illnesses that younger individuals might easily overcome. This has raised an important question for researchers, which is why do some people live to a very old age while avoiding major diseases?
The results of research by a team at Osaka University studying Japanese supercentenarians aged 110 years and older, now suggest that a rare type of immune cell known as CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes, or CD4 CTLs, becomes increasingly abundant with extreme age. These rare cells have the ability to both recognize threats and destroy dangerous cells.
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