Researchers Discover Method to Help Aging Intestines Heal Themselves

An Immune Therapy Against Cancer Can Rejuvenate Aging Intestines

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have found a way to assist aging intestines in healing themselves through CAR T cell therapy. This approach successfully targets senescent cells that accumulate over time, stimulating intestinal regeneration, reducing inflammation, and improving nutrient absorption in mice. Additionally, it demonstrated significant protection against radiation-induced damage, with benefits lasting for up to a year.

Initial results obtained on human intestinal cells suggest that this method could one day enhance intestinal health in older individuals and cancer patients. Over time, many people notice that certain foods become harder to tolerate as they age, which may be caused by damage to the intestinal epithelium, essential for digestion and overall gut health.

Under healthy conditions, the intestinal epithelium regenerates every three to five days, but aging or exposure to radiation can disrupt this regeneration. When this happens, inflammation can increase, leading to conditions such as leaky gut syndrome.

The researchers utilized CAR T cell therapy to support intestinal repair. This method relies on the ability of these immune cells to eliminate senescent cells, significantly impacting metabolism and gut health. The project was conducted in collaboration with multiple specialists and showed promising results, including a significantly faster recovery of damaged intestinal mucosa.

Studies on mice demonstrated that CAR T cell treatment supports intestinal function for at least a year, and evidence suggests that this therapy could also apply to human intestinal cells. This represents an important step in the long road to understanding how we can enhance gut health in elderly individuals.