High altitude-mediated immune remodeling accelerates aging
Yu Xiao1, Yongfu Li1, Yaqi Mao2
1The Academy for Cell and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology and Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
None:
High altitude-associated pathophysiological processes may potentially accelerate aging trajectory, while evidence remains limited. We present immune landscape characterization in human populations residing at 3656-meter (Lhasa) and 5070-meter (Tuiwacun) elevations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, complemented by multiorgan single-cell RNA sequencing and spatially enhanced resolution omics sequencing (Stereo-seq) of mice under simulated 5000-meter hypoxic conditions. Comparative analysis revealed significantly elevated neutrophil proportions in high-altitude population (HAP) cohorts relative to low-altitude population cohorts. Notably, aging-associated immune cells (AICs) including exhausted T cells, age-associated B cells, and high-aging-score immune cells showed marked enrichment in HAP cohorts, a pattern conserved in mouse models. Stereo-seq analyses further identified coordinated niche interactions between AICs and aging-related intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting accelerated gut aging trajectories. Our work establishes the multiomics framework for high-altitude immune remodeling while providing mechanistic insights into high altitude-associated pathophysiological processes.
Related Concept Videos
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age


