Study maps how ageing changes immune cells

A study by researchers at the University of Southern California has found that ageing affects immune cells differently depending on where they are found in the body.

The researchers examined macrophages - immune cells involved in fighting infection, removing damaged cells, repairing tissue and regulating inflammation - across multiple tissues in mice.

Their analysis found some common age-related changes, including greater activity linked to cellular stress and damage.

But the changes also varied significantly between tissues, SciTechDaily reports.

Macrophages in the brain, for example, showed different ageing patterns from those in the lungs. The researchers also identified differences between males and females.

The study, published in BMC Biology, combined sequencing data from dozens of previously published studies, allowing the team to compare macrophage ageing across tissues on a much broader scale.

The researchers said the findings could have implications for future treatments aimed at reducing age-related immune decline.

Because macrophages do not age in exactly the same way throughout the body, treatments targeting immune ageing may need to take account of the particular tissue involved.

The team also identified genes and molecular pathways that changed consistently across several tissues, potentially providing targets for future research into healthier ageing.