Cellular senescence is a double-edged sword in regulating aged immune responses to influenza.

ABSTRACT: Clearance of senescent cells has demonstrated therapeutic potential in the context of chronic age-related diseases. Little is known, however, how clearing senescent cells affects the ability to respond to an acute infection and form quality immunological memory. We aimed to probe the effects of clearing senescent cells in aged mice on the immune response to influenza (flu) infection. We utilized a p16 trimodality reporter mouse model (p16-3MR) to allow for identification and selective clearance of p16-expressing cells upon administration of ganciclovir (GCV). While p16-expressing cells may exacerbate dysfunctional responses to a primary infection, our data suggest they may play a role in fostering memory cell generation. We demonstrate that although clearance of p16-expressing cells enhanc

SUBMITTER: Torrance BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11258475 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature