From brain training apps to botox, many people will try anything to turn back the clock.
But a new study suggests that the key to slowing the aging process could be in certain cells in our immune system, called myeloid cells.
These cells play a vital role in fighting infections and cleaning up debris, but they often go into excess as we age, causing chronic inflammation.
Research indicates that shutting down these cells could “damage” the brain and delay the onset of various conditions, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and frailty.
Although the findings are very early, researchers hope they can help drug manufacturers develop a compound to delay aging.
Research indicates that myeloid cell shutdown could “invade” the brain and delay the onset of various conditions, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and fragility (stock image)
In the study, Stanford Medicine researchers studied myeloid cells in old mice, as well as myeloid cells in cultures of people over 65 and under 35.
Myeloid cells are found in the brain, circulatory system, and peripheral tissues, where they play an essential role in cleansing dead cells, providing nutrients to other cells, and ensuring the invasion of pathogens.
However, as we age, our myeloid cells begin to malfunction, causing damage to innocent tissues during the process.
In the study, the researchers blocked the interaction of a hormone called PGE2 and a receptor on myeloid cells in mice and human cells in culture.
Surprisingly, this was sufficient to restore juvenile metabolism and restore age-related mental decline in old mice.
Professor Katrin Andreasson, professor of neurology and neurological sciences and lead author of the study, explained, “If you adjust your immune system, you can lower your brain.”
PGE2 is a hormone that belongs to a group known as prostaglandins and does many different things in the body, depending on which cells it binds to.
For example, when PGE2 binds to a receptor called EP2 in myeloid cells, it initiates inflammatory activity inside the cells.
Myeloid cells are found in the brain, circulatory system, and peripheral tissues, where they play an essential role in cleansing dead cells, providing nutrients to other cells, and ensuring the invasion of pathogens. However, as we age, our myeloid cells begin to malfunction, causing damage to innocent tissues during the process.
In the study, the researchers found that older, larger human mouse cells had a much larger number of EP2 on the surface and also produced more PGE2.
Unfortunately, as the hormone binds to these receptors, it causes an increase in inflammation, causing damage to innocent tissues.
Professor Andreasson explained, “This powerful pathway drives aging. And it can be reduced downward.”
Using two compounds, the researchers blocked the ability of PGE2 to bind to EP2 and were able to reverse this inflammation, as well as age-related cognitive decline.
Even older mice were able to perform in both space recovery and navigation tests as well as younger mice.
One of the two compounds was of particular interest, which was found to be effective, although it does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
According to the team, this suggests that restoring myeloid cells outside the brain could have a big effect on what happens inside the brain.
Unfortunately, the compounds are not approved for human use and possibly have toxic side effects, according to the researchers.
However, the team hopes they can provide a roadmap for drug manufacturers to develop a safe compound to give to humans.