Scientists have discovered why a key organ stops working at the same time as we do, halting the production of cells vital to good health.
The thymus produces T cells, which help the body fight infections and diseases, but it virtually stops working around the age of 65, meaning our immune system becomes much weaker.
With age, the thymus, located behind the breastbone, shrinks and T-cell-producing areas are replaced by fatty tissue, while “scarring” prevents regeneration.
Cancer treatments also damage the thymus, making recovery from infection much slower for young people with the disease.
Scientists have discovered that the thymus, an organ located behind the breastbone, recede at the same time as we do, thereby stopping the production of cells that are vital for good health.
The thymus produces T cells (seen fighting a cancer cell in an illustration), which help the body fight infections and diseases.
The team behind this pioneering research say their findings could be important in the development of immune-boosting therapies for over-60s and those undergoing cancer treatment.
Co-author Dr Kelin Zhao, from the WEHI research institute in Melbourne, Australia, said: “This knowledge allows us to investigate whether these cells can be used therapeutically in the future to help delay thymus ageing and boost T cell function in humans as we age. This is the goal our team is working towards.”
Professor Daniel Gray, head of laboratory at WEHI, said: ‘Adults who have weakened immune systems… take years to recover their T cells, or sometimes never do so, putting them at greater risk of life-threatening infections for the rest of their lives.
‘Exploring ways to restore thymic function is critical to finding new therapies that can improve outcomes for these vulnerable patients and finding a way to ensure a healthy level of T cells are produced throughout our lives.’
Dr. Gray added: “Our discovery provides a new angle for thymic regeneration and immune restoration and may uncover a way to boost immune function in vulnerable patients in the future.”