Scientists from the University College London in England have illustrated how interactions among metabolism, immunity and nutrition are involved in the process of aging.

Supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, they carried out two new studies that show people can fortify their immune systems and help immune system therapies become more effective with dietary intervention.

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As people age, their immune system declines and older individuals have an increased severity and incidence of both cancer and infections. In addition, the vaccination of the elderly becomes less efficient as their age increases.

Professor Arne Akbar and his colleagues at UCL were able to show aging in the T lymphocyte white blood cells essential for cell-mediated immunity was managed by a molecule named "p38 MAPK."

This molecule performs like a brake to avoid some cellular functions uncovered in a previous study sponsored by the BBSRC. The team discovered the p38 MAPK's "braking action" could be reversed and could rejuvenate T cells.

These cells could live for years in an individual through various drug treatments.

Researchers said the molecule becomes active if low nutrient levels are present, coupled with the senescence signals that come with age inside the cell.

It has long been suspected that metabolism, immunity and nutrition are connected. The latest study offers an initial model of the mechanism of how senescence signals and nutrient levels combine to manage the function of T cells.

The study also suggested that by blocking one of the various molecules involved in the aging process, the geriatric T lymphocytes could be reconstituted.

The second published paper showed that blocking the p38 MAPK resulted in boosting the fitness of cells that were showing signs of aging. The barring of the molecule enhanced the cells' ability to divide and improved the function of their mitochondria. 

Tagsscientific research, immune system, Immune System booster, Aging, old age, Geriatric, Research