T cells with dysfunctional mitochondria induce multimorbidity and premature senescence

Desdín-Micó G, Soto-Heredero G, Aranda JF, Oller J, Carrasco E, Gabandé-Rodríguez E, Blanco EM, Alfranca A, Cussó L, Desco M, Ibañez B, Gortazar AR, Fernández-Marcos P, Navarro MN, Hernaez B, Alcamí A, Baixauli F, Mittelbrunn M.

Science. 2020 Jun 19;

368(6497):1371-1376.
doi: 10.1126/science.aax0860.
PMID: 32439659

The effect of immunometabolism on age-associated diseases remains uncertain. In this work, we show that T cells with dysfunctional mitochondria owing to mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) deficiency act as accelerators of senescence. In mice, these cells instigate multiple aging-related features, including metabolic, cognitive, physical, and cardiovascular alterations, which together result in premature death. T cell metabolic failure induces the accumulation of circulating cytokines, which resembles the chronic inflammation that is characteristic of aging (“inflammaging”). This cytokine storm itself acts as a systemic inducer of senescence. Blocking tumor necrosis factor-α signaling or preventing senescence with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide precursors partially rescues premature aging in mice with Tfam-deficient T cells. Thus, T cells can regulate organismal fitness and life span, which highlights the importance of tight immunometabolic control in both aging and the onset of age-associated diseases.

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