Scientists have found a way to rejuvenate aging immune cells, which could help the body combat infections and cancer more effectively. The breakthrough, led by Georgia Tech biomedical engineer Ankur Singh, shows that immune decline is not an unavoidable part of getting older.
Immune cells weaken with age
T cells, which serve as the immune system’s primary defenders, become less responsive over time. Their ability to fight viruses, abnormal cells, and early-stage cancer diminishes. The body also produces fewer new T cells as it ages, making the problem worse.
Singh described the cells as exhausted and sought to determine whether their lost function could be restored.
The COVID-19 pandemic made the stakes clear. Older adults, whose immune systems struggled to defend against the virus, were hit hardest. Singh noticed similarities to his cancer research, where aging immune cells failed to react as they once did.
He explained that the pandemic revealed a broader issue: the immune system’s inability to handle new threats.
Silicon nanowires provide a solution
Previous attempts to modify T cells often caused damage or failed to reach enough cells. Singh’s group used tiny silicon nanowires to deliver instructions into over 90% of aging T cells without harming them.
The aim was not to reverse aging but to restore enough function for the cells to perform like younger ones. The nanowires acted as a delivery system, resetting the cells’ internal processes.
A lab image shows aged human T cells on a surface of nanowires, which interact with the cells to revive their activity.
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The treatment acted like a spark. Revived cells became more active, multiplied, and regained their ability to target infected and cancerous cells. Singh noted that adjusting just a few genes brought the cells closer to a younger state.
The method was tested on immune cells from healthy older adults, cancer survivors, and patients with active cancer. In every case, T cell function improved. Singh said this consistency confirmed the approach could work for different people and conditions.
Immune aging affects more than just infections. It influences vaccine effectiveness, illness frequency, and the body’s response to chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune disorders. The potential uses extend beyond cancer and viruses.
The treatment’s effects currently last about two weeks. Singh’s group is working to prolong that duration. While the cells continue to age, they may no longer behave as if they have.
Singh said the technique could lead to better vaccine responses, fewer illnesses, and an overall healthier life.
The study, published in Cell Biomaterials, received funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Curci Foundation, and the Carl Ring Family Endowment. Additional contributors included scientists from Georgia Tech and Emory University.
Understanding how these cells respond to unexpected stimuli may offer further insights into their behavior. For example, pupil dilation during surprise reveals how the brain processes sudden changes, which could relate to immune cell reactions under stress.
