CD8+ T cell aging, senescence, and related disease
摘要
CD8+ T cells are the primary killer cells that fight infections and malignantly transformed cells in vivo. In response to various stimuli, activated CD8+ T cells differentiate into effector and memory CD8+ T cells, which eliminate target cells and provide long-term protective immunity, respectively. Aberrant CD8+ T cell function induced by aging can lead to immune-related disorders. Both endogenous and exogenous stress affect the aging process of CD8+ T cells. CD8+ T cell aging results in cell senescence, characterized by disrupted cell proliferation, and impairs many other CD8+ T cell-related immune responses. It is now well-established that the aging of immune cells, including CD8+ T cells, exacerbates the body’s inflammation and promotes cell senescence in distant tissues, thereby accelerating the onset and progression of age-related diseases. Therefore, clarifying the genetic characteristics, molecular mechanisms, and specific markers of aged CD8+ T cells is crucial for delivering precise and effective therapeutic interventions for age-related diseases, particularly those induced by CD8+ T cell aging.