A long RNA molecule guards liver immunity with age

Not all genes code for proteins. A large portion of genetic material produces so-called long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs): molecules that regulate the activity of other genes without forming a protein themselves. They are involved in almost every biological process, but their role in the ageing immune system is still poorly understood.

A correction published in the journal Nature Aging refers to research on a specific lncRNA in regulatory T cells in the liver. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are immune cells that dampen excessive inflammatory responses. They are especially active in the liver, an organ constantly exposed to substances from the gut.

Immune-metabolic balance in the ageing liver

According to the study, this Treg-specific lncRNA maintains so-called immune-metabolic homeostasis in the ageing liver. Homeostasis here refers to the ability to maintain internal balance despite changing conditions. When this lncRNA is absent or less active, it disrupts both immune function and the metabolism of liver cells.

With advancing age, chronic low-grade inflammation increases, a phenomenon researchers call inflammaging. The liver plays a central role in this process. If Tregs in the liver function less effectively, this may contribute to a persistent state of mild inflammation that accelerates organ damage.

What this means for longevity research

The idea that a single RNA molecule in specific immune cells co-regulates the ageing process in an organ fits a broader pattern. A growing body of research shows that non-coding RNAs are critical regulators of ageing. Whether this specific lncRNA plays a comparable role in humans cannot be determined from this research alone. Larger studies with human material are needed.

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