Scientists have found a way to help ageing guts heal themselves

Researchers have discovered a way to help aging intestines heal themselves using CAR Tcell therapy By targeting senescent cells that build up over time the treatment boosted gut regeneration reduced inflammation and improved nutrient absorption in miceIt even helped protect the intestine from radiation damage with benefits lasting up to a year Early results in human intestinal cells suggest the approach could one day improve gut health in older adults and cancer patientsMany people notice that certain foods become harder to tolerate with age One possible reason is damage to the intestinal epithelium a thin single layer of cells that lines the intestineThis lining is essential for digestion and overall gut health In healthy conditions the intestinal epithelium renews itself every three to five daysAgeing or exposure to cancer radiation can disrupt this renewal process slowing or stopping regeneration altogether When that happens inflammation can rise and conditions such as leaky gut syndrome may developScientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory CSHL have now identified a promising way to jumpstart intestinal repair Their strategy relies on CAR Tcell therapy a powerful form of immunotherapy best known for treating certain cancersBy applying this approach to the gut the researchers hope to open the door to future clinical trials aimed at improving intestinal health particularly in people affected by agerelated declineTargeting aging cells that refuse to dieThis work builds on earlier research led by CSHL Assistant Professor Corina Amor Vegas whose laboratory studies cellular senescence As the body ages it accumulates senescent cells which no longer divide but also do not die offThese lingering cells have been linked to many agerelated conditions including diabetes and dementia In earlier studies Amor Vegas and her team engineered immune cells known as antiuPAR CAR T cells that selectively remove senescent cells in mice leading to major improvements in the animals metabolismThe researchers next asked whether removing senescent cells could help restore the intestines ability to heal Amor Vegas partnered with CSHL Assistant Professor Semir Beyaz and graduate student Onur Eskiocak to investigateThey delivered CAR T cells directly to the intestines of both younger and older mice According to Amor Vegas the results were striking In both cases we see really significant improvements she says Theyre able to absorb nutrients better They have much less inflammation When irritated or injured their epithelial lining is able to regenerate and heal much fasterProtection against radiationinduced gut damageLeaky gut syndrome is particularly common among cancer patients who receive pelvic or abdominal radiation therapy To model this the team exposed mice to radiation that damaged their intestinal epithelial cellsMice treated with CAR T cells recovered far more effectively than those that did not receive the therapy Notably a single dose of CAR Tcell treatment continued to support healthier gut function for at least one yearThe researchers also found compelling evidence that antiuPAR CAR T cells encourage regeneration in human intestinal and colorectal cells Eskiocak notesWhile the precise biological mechanisms behind this effect are still being explored the findings point to strong therapeutic potentialBeyaz emphasises the broader significance of the work This is one good step toward a long journey in understanding how we can better heal the elderly he said