Immune signal restored B and T cell production in aged mice
Experiments in 18-month-old male mice tested interleukin 4; two four-week courses also improved immune, metabolic, physical and cognitive functions.
Limit: Treatment adverse effects were not reported
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
In experiments, 18-month-old male C57BL/6 mice received interleukin 4, an immune signaling protein, or saline. The preparation contained 2.5 micrograms of the protein and 12.5 micrograms of an antibody that enhanced its stability. Long-term dosing used weekly injections for four weeks, a four-week break, another four-week course and a final four-week break before testing.
Interleukin 4 shifted blood-cell precursors toward making lymphocytes, immune cells that include B and T cells. It restored B and T cell production in aged mice. Long-term dosing improved immune, metabolic, physical and cognitive functions. Transplanting treated blood-forming stem and precursor cells reproduced these benefits in aged mice. In experiments with mouse blood-cell precursors, interleukin 4 activated STAT6, a protein that controls gene activity, and increased the activity of genes specific to lymphocytes.
Why it matters
Age-related shifts in blood-cell production can undermine immune function. The work addresses whether redirecting blood-forming precursor cells can help counter this aspect of immune aging.
Caveats
The treatment experiments used male mice, not people, and do not show whether the benefits extend to females. The supplied text does not report adverse effects or lifespan outcomes.
- Interleukin-4
- Il-4-treated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell transplantation
- STAT6
- IL4RA
- Immune response
- Mice
The paper
Boston Children's Hospital
Immunity, May 29, 2026, Open access, accepted manuscript
