Researchers discover the immune system’s ‘fountain of youth’ - but it has a cost
Some adults in their 60s have younger immune systems, research finds
- Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that some individuals over 60 possess immune systems that appear significantly younger than their chronological age.
- This cellular 'youthfulness' in older adults, however, is associated with a significant drawback: an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
- The discovery was made while studying over 100 older patients receiving treatment for giant cell arteritis, a rare autoimmune condition.
- Researchers found these patients had 'stem-like T cells' which, despite behaving like young stem cells, were contributing to the spread of autoimmune disease.
- The findings suggest a complex trade-off, indicating that an immune system aging in tandem with the body may offer benefits, despite the perceived advantage of a 'younger' immune system.