Using drugs that remove aging cells to boost vaccine protection for older adults
Impact of Senolytics on Aged Vaccine Responses
This project uses drugs that clear age-related inflammatory cells to help older adults make stronger immune responses to vaccines like the flu shot.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11224089 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use medications called senolytics to remove senescent (aging) cells that build up and cause inflammation. Senolytics will be given around the time of vaccination and immune responses such as antibody levels and B cell activity will be measured. The team will also measure inflammation markers and examine tissue or cell samples to understand how clearing these cells changes vaccine protection. Findings will help decide whether removing senescent cells can make vaccines work better for older people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults (for example, age 65 and older) with age-related immune decline who are willing to receive experimental senolytic treatment alongside routine vaccination are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Younger people or patients whose weak vaccine responses are caused by immunosuppressive drugs or other non-aging conditions are less likely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase vaccine effectiveness and reduce severe infections and hospitalizations in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies and early human work suggest senolytics can improve some age-related functions, but evidence that they boost vaccine responses in people is still limited and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Farmington, United States
- University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt — Farmington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartley, Jenna — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Bartley, Jenna
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.