The researchers studied more than 70 cell types in nine organs of male mice using millions of spatial data points. These transcriptome maps, called Gerontological Geography, revealed common features of ageing, including the breakdown of tissue structure and loss of cellular integrity. Professor Liu Guanghui from the Institute of Zoology at CAS noted that the accumulation of immunoglobulins was not only a hallmark of ageing, but also a possible catalyst for it.
The analysis showed that tissues susceptible to aging, especially so-called “senescence-sensitive sites” (SSS), have elevated levels of immunoglobulins, especially IgG. These antibodies can trigger inflammatory processes by increasing the aging of macrophages and microglia, the cells responsible for immune defense. In experiments, injections of IgG into young mice led to accelerated aging of their organs.
During the study, the team also developed a method to slow down aging using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). By using this strategy to reduce IgG levels in mouse tissue, the scientists were able to delay the aging process in several organs. This approach opens up new prospects for developing methods to prevent age-related diseases.
The study included both humans and mice, which confirmed the universality of the patterns identified. The authors of the study suggest that IgG levels could be used as a new biomarker of aging, as well as for developing therapeutic strategies.
A key discovery was the proposal of the immunoglobulin-associated aging phenomenon (IASP), which allows IgG to be considered as one of the causes of tissue disorders. This work was the first study to create a spatial map of organ aging in mammals and highlighted the importance of studying the organ microenvironment for understanding the aging process.