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Excess inflammation is a problem in aging, contributing to issues such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and cognitive decline. But the mechanisms behind age-related inflammation are not well understood. In a study published today (January 20) in Nature, researchers show that older immune cells have a defect in metabolism that when corrected in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease can decrease inflammation and restore cognitive function.
After a decade of progress in understanding metabolism and nutrient usage in immune cells and how that affects their function, this study is a “beautiful example” of now knowing enough to intervene, push buttons, and influence outcomes, says Eyal Amiel, who studies immune cell metabolism at the University of Vermont and was not involved in the new work. “To have a specific metabolic signature associated with a pathology is one thing. To be able to manipulate it is another thing. To be able ...
