Senolytics and The Role of T-Cells In Osteoporosis Treatment

Natural aging in humans results in multiple physical and mental changes to the everyday lives of people all over the world. It is common to see elderly people require assistance or supervision in some capacity to live comfortably and with the retention of at least some independence. Many elders encounter osteoporosis, which is a condition where bone mass and density decrease, leading to significant changes in bone strength and structure. T-cells, a type of white blood cell often associated with the human immune system, perhaps play a role in reducing bone mass and density in aging populations. While further testing is still required, initial insight and experimentation with Senolytics (designed to promote bone cell division and preserve subsequent bone structure) have proven promising in rat species. Additionally, researchers have been able to analyze multiple factors that can induce the onset of osteoporosis in both aging men and women. 

Multiple environmental and human-controllable factors can either accelerate the onset of osteoporosis. Smoking, chronic disease, and bad gut health are just some of the many variables that must be moderated to delay the onset of osteoporosis. Furthermore, natural inflammation from menopause in aging women is another inflammatory source on top of natural aging in both men and women. Inflammation has a direct correlation with bone loss in humans, but in many mammals as well (leaving the door open for multi-species drug experimentation in the future study of T-cell maintenance). Suppressing the natural pathway for resident memory T-cells in bones to enter senescence is one of the future goals that Senolytic-type drugs will hopefully address. 

As a result, certain measures can be taken to sustain bone density and structure into aging. While a loss in bone density officially starts at the age of 30 in humans, remaining active and eating healthy are two natural steps that can be taken to preserve bone density. Further experimentation with Senolytics in intermediate and eventually humans will also hopefully provide a drug-intervention route for reducing the complications associated with osteoporosis. 

Author: Abhinav Katyal 

Reference: Aurora R, Veis D. Does Aging Activate T-cells to Reduce Bone Mass and Quality? Current Osteoporosis Reports. 2022;20(5):326-333. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-022-00745-8