Scientists Find a Way to Help the Immune System Clear Aging "Zombie Cells"

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that age-related decline in chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) impairs macrophages' ability to clear senescent cells. The CMA activator CA77.1 reduced senescent-cell buildup, inflammation and fibrosis in aged mice, including a lung-fibrosis model.

• Lower CMA prevents macrophages from recognizing and engulfing senescent cells
• CA77.1 given orally for five months cut zombie cells and fibrosis in old mice
• Lung samples from IPF patients showed markedly reduced CMA activity
• Approach restores immune clearance rather than killing cells with senolytics