The Internal Fountain Of Youth: Scientists Use T-Cells to Resist Aging in New Study

T-cells are a type of white blood cell that is vital for the immune system. They reside in the bone marrow, thymus, lymph system, and bloodstream, and help destroy harmful pathogens like viruses and bacteria. According to a new study in the journal Nature Aging, T-cells may be the key to the fountain of youth, after scientists successfully reprogrammed them into anti-aging agents.

The biological fountain of youth

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory worked to genetically engineer T-cells to target and destroy senescent cells. Senescent cells are linked to aging and age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. They are cells that are permanently stunted. The process of cellular senescence is important in healthy bodies because it stops the growth and spread of abnormal cells. However, these cells accumulate in organs and tissues over time. This makes it increasingly hard for tissue to regenerate.

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Eliminate damaging cells

“Senescent cells are cells in our body that have accumulated a lot of damage and as a result they have stopped doing their normal jobs and instead become very inflammatory,” says Assistant Professor Corina Amor Vegas at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and study author. “The accumulation of these cells in tissues is really deleterious because it creates a severe pro-inflammatory microenvironment that prevents the other cells in the tissue from working properly too.”

Programing anti-aging cells

So the researchers modified T-cells with the mission to eliminate these senescent cells in mice to test for anti-aging effects. In particular, they used a drug known as CAR (chimeric antigen receptors) T-cells. The mice in the study experienced lower body weight, better glucose tolerance, boosted metabolism, and more physical activity. There was no tissue damage or toxicity as a result. 

“If we give it to aged mice, they rejuvenate. If we give it to young mice, they age slower. No other therapy right now can do this,” says Amor Vegas.

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One dose for life?

What’s even more noteworthy is the longevity of the CAR T-cells. After one dose, young mice retain the anti-aging effects for the rest of their lives. “T-cells have the ability to develop memory and persist in your body for really long periods, which is very different from a chemical drug, “ says Armor Vegas. “With CAR T-cells, you have the potential of getting this one treatment, and then that’s it. For chronic pathologies, that’s a huge advantage. Think about patients who need treatment multiple times per day versus you get an infusion, and then you’re good to go for multiple years.”

Eliminating senescent cells

There are currently medications that target and eliminate senescent cells, but they need to be taken regularly. Additionally, what’s called “senolytic treatment” is new and it’s unclear exactly who can benefit from it. It’s likely that researchers will need to customize these drugs to target specific issues. Meanwhile, CAR T-cells seem like they have the potential to benefit a person’s overall health after one dose—or at least they can benefit a mouse’s health.

The future of CAR T-cell anti-aging treatment

In 2017, CAR T-cells received FDA approval as treatment for different kinds of blood cancer. But this study further investigates its medical potential. Armor Vegas and her colleagues are now researching if mice with this treatment would not only live healthier lives but longer ones. There is much to discover before CAR T-cells can be proven to be humanity’s fountain on youth.

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