T-cell lymphocytes' aging clock: telomeres, telomerase and aging

Biogerontology. 2024 Apr;25(2):279-288. doi: 10.1007/s10522-023-10075-6. Epub 2023 Nov 2.

Abstract

Aging is the decline of physiological capabilities required for life maintenance and reproduction over time. The human immune cells, including T-cells lymphocytes, undergo dramatic aging-related changes, including those related to telomeres and telomerase. It was demonstrated that telomeres and telomerase play crucial roles in T-cell differentiation, aging, and diseases, including a well-documented link between short telomeres and telomerase activation demonstrated in several T-cells malignancies. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature regarding T-cells' telomeres and telomerase in health and age related-diseases.

Keywords: Aging; Disease; Health; Lymphocytes; Lymphomagenesis; T-cell; TERT; Telomerase; Telomeres.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Telomerase* / genetics
  • Telomere

Substances

  • Telomerase