Why Elderly People Are More Likely to Suffer from Severe Forms of Influenza and COVID-19

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have conducted a significant study revealing why older adults are much more susceptible to severe forms of influenza and COVID-19. The findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Immunity.

According to the data obtained, the increased vulnerability of elderly individuals is not only due to the overall weakness of the immune system but also the aging of structural lung cells, particularly fibroblasts. These cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining lung tissue, trigger a mechanism of excessively aggressive immune response. This can turn a common cough into a critical condition requiring hospitalization and intubation.

The scientists discovered that with age, fibroblasts begin to send false stress signals through the NF-kB pathway. This activates macrophages, which in turn recruit specific immune cells marked by the GZMK gene from the bloodstream. Although these cells are virtually ineffective in combating viruses, they cause significant damage to delicate lung tissue, potentially leading to severe complications.

Experiments conducted on mice demonstrated that the activation of this signaling pathway, even in young individuals, led to the development of symptoms characteristic of advanced age. Meanwhile, the genetic removal of GZMK cells allowed the organism to better tolerate infections, indicating their negative role in inflammatory processes.

Additional analysis of tissues from patients hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed these findings. In the lungs of severely ill individuals, numerous clusters of inflammatory cells were found, while such clusters were absent in healthy donors. This suggests that inflammation triggered by the activity of GZMK cells may be one of the factors leading to severe forms of the disease.

The authors of the study emphasize that the identified connection between the dysfunction of lung and immune cells opens new avenues for therapy. This could serve as a basis for developing medications capable of halting destructive 'inflammatory aging' before patients reach the intensive care unit. Thus, the research could have a significant impact on the treatment of elderly individuals suffering from respiratory diseases.

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