Akbar Lab

Enhancing immunity during ageing by targeting interactions within the tissue environment tinyurl.com/2m84cfjy This new Review discusses how inflammation and senescence drive each other during aging, leading to loss of immune function, and discusses approaches to address this

We also discuss strategies designed to directly boost immune cell function and those that improve immune surveillance in tissues.

We discuss the relative merits and drawbacks of therapies that are directed at eliminating senescent cells (senolytics) and those that inhibit inflammation (senomorphics) in the context of tissue niches.

Excited to share our latest review in @NatRevDrugDisc!🚨 tinyurl.com/2m84cfjy Studies to boost immunity during ageing consider effects of potential therapies on cell types. Here, we highlight how inflammation & senescence drive each other leading to loss of immune function.👇🏼

This is the 1st in-depth characterisation of multiple senescence-associated outcomes in different cells types as a result of a p16 gene mutation in FMS. This will ultimately be highly relevant for better understanding the role of senescent cells in regulating immunity in tissues.

CD4+ and CD8+ T cell numbers were reduced in FMS patient skin. Patient-derived fibroblasts were also found to secrete less SASP which may hinder the recruitment of T cells in steady state and thus reduce cutaneous immunosurveillance.

Our newest paper is out! 🚨 We have uncovered multiple cellular senescence-associated defects in melanocytes and other cell types in Familial Melanoma Syndrome (FMS) patients with a p16 defect that makes them more susceptible to developing melanoma ⬇️ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ac…

Congrats to @OliviaBracken1 on winning the Best Moderated Poster for postdocs at the @DoM_UCL Research Retreat! 🎉🥳 Exciting data showing how IL-15 mediates NK receptor-mediated cytotoxicity in CD8 senescent T cells

Many thanks to our funders and collaborators for their invaluable help. @skinucph @The_MRC @BSFcharity @Dermatrust

A great reminder to boost your #VitaminD levels if insufficient!

Out now🚨 #VitaminD blocks the SASP and p38 MAPK in senescent fibroblasts to improve cutaneous immune responses during #ageing. In this study by our postdoc @sourayasayegh &co, we explored how vitamin D boosts immunity @Aging_Cell👇🏼 doi.org/10.1111/acel.1… @Emma_S_Chambers

Just published! My first last author paper! Showing that vitamin D inhibits inflammatory cytokine production from senescent dermal fibroblasts via inhibition of p38-MAPKinase pathway doi.org/10.1111/acel.1… @blizard_inst @AkbarLab

Pass by our posters for more senescence talk with @OliviaBracken1 and Souraya! #BSI23 - Liv: IL-15 drives NKR-mediated cytotoxicity in senescent CD8+ T cells- P554 - Souraya: Vitamin D3 inhibits p38 MAPK and the SASP in senescent fibroblasts to boost immunity during ageing- P204

Rino, @polinadeletic and Terence are presenting their work in tonight’s poster session. Come and have a chat! -Rino: Simultaneous TCR and NKR engagement on T cells- P-555 -Polina: Senescent fibroblasts & Tregs- P-207 -Terence: IL-15 and cytotoxicity in senescent CD8 cells- P-203

Akbar Lab, past and present! Mini reunion at #BSI23