Minghong Jiang, PhD | Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Junmin Wang, PhD; Yuyang Wang, PhD; Leilei Ren, MS
Competition Sponsor: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Awardee Year: 2024
Redox imbalance of immune cells and ROS-driven activation lead to chronic inflammation in ageing organisms, but the mechanism of inflammatory senescence remains a mystery. Neutrophils are important ROS producers. It has been shown that ROS and inflammatory molecules can induce immunosenescence in ageing neutrophils, which have enhanced pro-inflammatory capabilities. They express and secrete a variety of molecules and the high levels of ROS promote chronic inflammation by oxidising biomacromolecules. We hypothesises that excessive oxidative stress in ageing leads to neutrophil immunosenescence and subsequent chronic inflammation. Using healthy elderly and aged mice, we will investigate a novel neutrophil subpopulation that promotes chronic inflammation. Using multiple techniques, we will analyse cell surface receptors, key pathways/genes, proteases, inflammatory factors and pathological death to define the key links between free radicals, inflammation and senescence. We will also map molecular networks and kinetic shifts, investigate whether inhibition of pathways can delay ageing, reveal the novel mechanism, provide a target for new drugs and a basis for identifying specific markers.