Researchers studied over 70 cell types in nine organs of male mice using millions of spatial data points. These transcriptome maps, dubbed "Gerontological Geography," revealed common features of aging, including disruption of tissue structure and loss of cellular integrity. Professor Liu Guanghui of the CAS Institute of Zoology noted that immunoglobulin accumulation was not only a characteristic feature of aging but also a possible catalyst.
Analysis revealed that tissues susceptible to aging, particularly so-called "senescence-sensitive regions" (SSRs), exhibit elevated levels of immunoglobulins, particularly IgG. These antibodies can trigger inflammatory processes, accelerating the aging of macrophages and microglia—the cells responsible for immune defense. In experiments, injections of IgG into young mice resulted in accelerated organ aging.
During the study, the team also developed a method for slowing aging using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). By applying this strategy to reduce IgG levels in mouse tissue, the scientists were able to delay the aging process in several organs. This approach opens new prospects for the development of methods for preventing age-related diseases.
The study included both humans and mice, confirming the universality of the identified patterns. The study's authors suggest that IgG levels could be used as a new biomarker of aging and for developing therapeutic strategies.
A key discovery was the proposal of the phenomenon of immunoglobulin-associated aging (IASP), which suggests that IgG may be one of the causes of tissue damage. This work was the first to create a spatial map of organ aging in mammals and highlighted the importance of studying the organ microenvironment for understanding aging processes.
