Investigating the Potential of Targeting Microbiome Dysbiosis for Combatting Immunosenescence

Speaker:

Niharika A. Duggal, BSc (Hons), PhD, PGCHE 

Event date: 25 May 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland 

Ageing is accompanied by an impaired ability to mount a robust immune response, termed immunosenescence, and age-associated inflammation, termed inflammageing. Key hallmarks of T cell ageing include shrinkage of the thymus, which results in decreased naïve T cell numbers and expansion of memory T cells; accumulation of senescent T cells; and changes in subset populations of T cells. 

Advancing age also is accompanied by changes in gut microbiome composition that contribute to loss of intestinal barrier integrity and allow translocation of microbes and microbial products into the bloodstream.  

Recent evidence from animal studies suggests a causal relationship between microbiome dysbiosis and inflammageing and a potential link with thymus involution and T cell ageing. Evidence for microbiome-targeted interventions that can restore intestinal barrier function and strengthen immunity is growing. However, future studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and the extent of their effects on immune ageing in older adults.