Mitochondrial Dysfunction is a Contributing Cause of T Cell Exhaustion

T cell exhaustion occurs in aging, but also in circumstances in which the adaptive immune system is constantly stimulated over time, such as in cases of persistent HIV infection, or the presence of solid tumors. An exhausted T cell has adopted a state in which it is functionally incapable, no longer responsive to antigens. Ways to reverse T cell exhaustion would be very beneficial, and so the research community has made some inroads in understanding the mechanisms of exhaustion, enough to produce proof of concept approaches, such as those involving epigenetic reprogramming, BAFT upregulation, TIGIT knockdown, and various small molecules identified in screening programs. In today's research materials, scientists provide evidence for T cell exhaustion to be caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus ways to maintain or restore mitochondrial function will allow cells to resist the exhausted state. This may explain the success that researchers have had with epigenetic reprogramming in the context of T cell exhaustion, as this intervention is well known to restore mitochondrial function. Overall, this finding is quite interesting in the context of age-related T cell exhaustion, given the mitochondrial dysfunction that occurs with advancing age. It suggests that all strategies that can improve mitochondrial function may produce corresponding gains in immune function. Preventing the Exhaustion of T Cells When mitochondrial respiration fails, a cascade of reacti...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs