In a recent study published in the journal Science Advances , a team of Chinese researchers used murine models to investigate whether immune rejuvenation through the transplantation of young bone marrow could retard immunosenescence and potentially be used as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease. Study: A persistent variant telomere sequence in a human pedigree . Image Credit: nobeastsofierce / Shutterstock An increasing number of studies are reporting the involvement of immune system dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Additionally, it has been observed that close to 50% of the genes involved in Alzheimer's disease, such as BIN1, which codes for bridging integrator 1, CD33, which codes for a myeloid cell surface antigen , and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 ( TREM2) , are genes that are involved in immune system processes. The age-related decline of the immune system results in a decrease in immune cell production, reduced diversity of the immune repertoire, and an accumulation of dysfunctional immune cells — a phenomenon collectively known as immunosenescence. It is believed that immunosenescence is a driver of systemic aging, including brain aging, and increases the susceptibility to age-related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Therefore, it can be assumed that the rejuvenation of immune cells would positively impact slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. .
