Novel study reveals secrets of the immune system in seniors!

Novel study reveals secrets of the immune system in seniors!

A current study by the research team at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) is investigating age-related changes in the immune system. The research aims to understand the relationship between immune profiles and factors such as age, gender, smoking, obesity and various diseases. In particular, the susceptibility of older people to infections and the reduced effectiveness of vaccinations are analyzed. In this context, the “Senior Individuals” cohort was launched as part of the RESIST Cluster of Excellence. This includes 550 participants over 60 years of age and 100 younger participants between the ages of 20 and 40 from the Hanover region mhh.de reported.

The participants provided information about their lifestyle, previous illnesses and medication use and were given a comprehensive physical examination. Led by Professor Reinhold Förster, the research team analyzed the participants' blood samples to create detailed immune profiles. The results, published in the journal EBioMedicine, show a clear connection between age, gender, smoking, obesity and certain diseases such as osteoporosis, heart failure and gout with specific immune signatures.

New insights into the immune system

The study particularly highlights the role of latent cytomegalovirus. People with this viral infection show increased levels of certain memory T cells. In this way, research expands the understanding of age-related changes in the immune system. Due to the high number of participants, differentiated analyzes can be carried out within the older group. High-resolution analyzes of the immune cells were carried out using up to 60 markers for surface proteins to identify cell populations.

A notable finding is the division of CD4 T lymphocytes into 18 different subgroups. Applying objective, computer-based clustering methods to cell typing resulted in more precise results than traditional, subjective approaches. A total of 97 innate and adaptive immune cell clusters were also examined, revealing complex age- and gender-specific changes in the immune system of older people.

The role of microglial cells

Another important aspect of age-related immune behavior in the body are the microglial cells, which function as resident immune cells of the central nervous system. These cells, derived from primitive yolk sac macrophages, act as immune sentinels and migrate to the brain before the blood-brain barrier is formed. In a healthy state, microglial cells are highly branched and actively monitor their environment. Your immune response is regulated by OFF signals that create an immunosuppressive environment. Activated microglial cells, on the other hand, show an altered morphology and can release immune mediators, which can lead to inflammatory processes such as degruyter.com describes.

As we age, both the morphology and function of microglial cells change. This is manifested by a decrease in basic motility and an increased number of lipofuscin granules. The term “inflammaging” describes this chronic pro-inflammatory state that is often associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. Aging microglial cells can have exaggerated immune responses to injury and inflammation and contribute to the accumulation of harmful substances such as amyloid in the brain.

Research on microglial cells is therefore crucial for understanding neurodegenerative diseases. With the findings of the MHH study and the aspects regarding the role of microglial cells, it is clear that research into these connections can not only contribute to improving health care for older people, but also to the development of targeted therapies.