Comprehensive characterisation of age-related changes in cell subpopulations and tissue structural properties in secondary lymphoid organs.

Yuxin Deng, Xin He, Juzheng Peng, Yuxi Pan, Yusheng Luo, Yueheng Ruan, Jianfeng Hou, Bangxue Jiang, Xiangyu Li, Xiaomei Liang, Jiayuan Huang, Jiancheng Wang

Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Population aging is an escalating global phenomenon, wherein age-related alterations in the human immune system exacerbate the susceptibility to diseases including infections and autoimmune disorders. Secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) are key locations for the execution of immunological responses by mature immune cells; however, age-related changes in SLOs remain relatively understudied. To address this gap, this study employed comprehensive approaches including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and morphological analysis, to clarify the age-related alterations in SLOs in mice. The results demonstrated that aging caused senescent immune cells to accumulate and subpopulations to reorganize, with a decrease in the proportion of naïve T cells, whilst an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and exhausted T (Tex) cells. Notably, CD4

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Research summary

The paper claims that aging leads to the accumulation of senescent immune cells and a reorganization of immune cell subpopulations in secondary lymphoid organs. This research is relevant as it addresses fundamental changes in the immune system associated with aging, which could inform strategies for mitigating age-related diseases and improving longevity.

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