How aging (senescent) cells weaken immune defenses and infection control
The role of senescent cells in dysregulating immune responses and pathogen control
This work looks at whether aged 'senescent' cells cause inflammation that makes older adults, including people with Alzheimer's, more likely to get and poorly fight infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318996 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how senescent cells build up with age and send inflammatory signals (the SASP) that interfere with normal immune cells. They will combine laboratory experiments, animal models, and studies of human blood or tissue samples to trace how these cells change immune responses to pathogens. The team may test approaches that remove or reduce senescent cells to see if immune function and infection control improve. Findings are intended to point toward treatments that lower harmful inflammation and boost infection resistance in older people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults—particularly those with Alzheimer's disease or age-related immune problems—who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples or participate in related clinical visits.
Not a fit: Younger people without age-related immune decline or those whose illnesses are unrelated to senescent-cell effects are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce harmful senescent cells or block their inflammatory signals to improve immunity and reduce infections in older adults and people with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal and lab studies suggest removing senescent cells can improve some aspects of immunity, and early human senolytic trials show promise for age-related measures, but applying this approach to infection control and Alzheimer's remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jameson, Stephen C — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Jameson, Stephen C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.