As we age, so-called senescent cells accumulate in our bodies. These are cells that no longer divide, but do release substances that can promote inflammation and tissue aging. In younger years, the immune system usually clears these cells away, which helps repair and protect tissues.
An important reason why this clearance process is less effective in older adults is due to a process called chaperone-mediated autophagy. This is a clearance mechanism in which damaged proteins are recognized and broken down. As we age, this process becomes less effective, both in the senescent cells themselves and in the immune cells that want to clear them out.
Researchers discovered that reducing this clearance function leads to the immune system being less able to remove senescent cells. As a result, these cells accumulate, which can contribute to aging and inflammation in the body. This insight could lead to new treatment methods in the future that improve the clearance of old cells.
For anyone who wants to become a healthier older adult, it is important to know that stimulating these natural clearance processes can play a role in improving health and quality of life in later life.
Source: Reason
