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Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications
Published on: May 18, 2017
A sestrin-dependent Erk-Jnk-p38 MAPK activation complex inhibits immunity during aging
Alessio Lanna1,2, Daniel C O Gomes1,3, Bojana Muller-Durovic1
1Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.
Sestrins form a complex that inhibits multiple mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in T cells. Disrupting this complex rejuvenates immune function in aging, enhancing vaccine responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including Erk, Jnk, and p38, control crucial cellular functions.
- MAPKs are typically regulated by distinct upstream signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of sestrins in coordinating MAPK activation in T lymphocytes.
- To explore the potential of targeting the sestrin-MAPK complex for immune rejuvenation in aging.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of the sestrin-MAPK activation complex (sMAC).
- Analysis of sestrin ablation and individual/simultaneous MAPK inhibition effects on T cell function.
- Assessment of sMAC formation and function in T cells from young and aged humans and mice.
- Evaluation of vaccine responsiveness in aged mice following sestrin deficiency or sMAC disruption.
Main Results:
- Sestrins bind to and simultaneously activate Erk, Jnk, and p38 MAPKs within the novel sMAC.
- Sestrin ablation broadly restored immune function in stressed T cells, unlike individual MAPK inhibition.
- Aged T cells exhibited increased sMAC formation, which impaired antigen-specific responses.
- Disrupting the sMAC or inhibiting all three MAPKs enhanced vaccine responsiveness in aged mice.
Conclusions:
- The sestrin-MAPK activation complex (sMAC) represents a new immune-inhibitory mechanism in T cells.
- Targeting the sMAC offers a potential strategy for rejuvenating age-related immune decline.
- Disruption of the sMAC can restore immune function and improve vaccine efficacy in aged individuals.
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