Regulatory T Cells Contribute to Reduced Myelination in the Aging Brain
Myelin, essential for electrical impulse transmission, is maintained by oligodendrocytes in the brain. Aging disrupts this process, impacting cognitive function. Research suggests that regulatory T cells (Treg) play a role in myelin regeneration, but their efficiency decreases with age.
Treg expansion in aged individuals does not fully restore myelination due to age-related decline in their ability to promote oligodendrocyte differentiation. However, a youthful environment can rescue this decline. Specific molecules like MCAM1 and ITGA2 are implicated in Treg-mediated myelination and decrease with age.
This study reveals that aging hampers Treg’s neuroregenerative capacity, limiting their potential for myelin repair in older patients. Targeting mechanisms involved in Treg-driven myelination could help overcome this limitation.