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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
Published on: May 1, 2017
Sestrins induce natural killer function in senescent-like CD8+ T cells
Branca I Pereira1, Roel P H De Maeyer1, Luciana P Covre1,2
1Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.
As we age, senescent CD8+ T cells gain innate-like killing abilities. Sestrins reprogram these cells by enabling NKG2D-DAP12 complex formation, enhancing cytotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular senescence
- Aging research
Background:
- Aging remodels the immune system, leading to senescent CD8+ T cells.
- These senescent cells lose T cell receptor (TCR) signaling but gain cytotoxic functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism behind the functional reprogramming of senescent CD8+ T cells during aging.
- To identify key molecular players involved in the transition to an innate-like immune function.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation to analyze T cell populations and protein complexes.
- Genetic manipulation to inhibit sestrin 2 expression.
- Functional assays to assess T cell receptor signaling and cytotoxicity.
Main Results:
- Senescent CD8+ T cells (CD27-CD28-) express NKG2D-DAP12, conferring cytotoxicity against NKG2D ligand-expressing cells.
- The NKG2D-DAP12 complex is associated with sestrin 2.
- Inhibiting sestrin 2 restored TCR signaling and reduced NKG2D/DAP12 expression in senescent T cells.
Conclusions:
- Sestrins drive the reprogramming of senescent CD8+ T cells.
- This reprogramming results in acquired, innate-like cytotoxicity mediated by the NKG2D-DAP12 complex.
- Targeting sestrins may restore T cell function in aging.
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