Investigating the Role of Brain Innate Immunity in Regulating Peripheral Aging
Age-related change throughout the body is the biggest risk factor for chronic diseases. Recent research suggests the brain’s immune system may be a key driver of this process. This project explores whether calming immune activity in the brain can slow aging and improve overall health. Dr. He’s lab focuses on a molecule called cGAS, which becomes overactive with age, causing inflammation and memory loss. Excitingly, they found that turning off cGAS in the brain not only protects memory but also improves metabolism, including less weight gain and better blood sugar control. Now, the He group will study how this brain-immune signal affects aging in organs like the liver, muscle, and heart, and how the brain communicates these effects through nerves and hormones. By uncovering how the brain act as a control center for aging, this work could lead to new ways to promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases.
