Immunotherapy rejuvenates the lungs and shows a new way to eliminate aged cells

"Beyond pulmonary fibrosis, this work demonstrates a way to eliminate aged cells and restore the body's natural regenera"

Aging involves the accumulation of senescent cells that do not die and contribute to inflammation and tissue deterioration. In the lungs, senescent cells can promote fibrosis, a condition that mainly affects people over 65 and is linked to other diseases and lung damage. The immune system in old age may fail to eliminate these senescent lung cells. An immunotherapy approach re-educates natural killer cells so they can detect and eliminate senescent cells. In mice, monalizumab partially reversed fibrosis by clearing accumulated senescent lung cells. Experiments using cells from fibrosis patients also showed elimination of aged cells responsible for the disease. The findings suggest a broader strategy to remove aged cells and restore natural regeneration.

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