MELBOURNE, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Australia have identified a protein that drives age-related damage in vital organs, opening a potential new avenue for treatments that could help people stay healthier as they get older.
The study by Australia's Monash University discovered a link between the protein Granzyme K and signs of ageing in the heart, liver and kidneys. Granzyme K is produced by immune cells, with levels known to increase significantly with age in both mice and humans, according to a university statement released Friday.
Monash University Professor Nicole La Gruta, senior author of the study published in the journal Immunity, said Granzyme K contributes to age-related organ damage, which can increase susceptibility to diseases such as heart and kidney disease.
Using preclinical or mouse models, researchers found that mice lacking Granzyme K showed significantly improved heart function and reduced fibrosis, a form of tissue scarring that can affect how well the organ works. The mice also showed reduced signs of age-related damage in their liver and kidneys.
Notably, the mice showed fewer signs of organ ageing despite normal immune ageing, suggesting a potential new approach to treatments that could help people maintain healthier organs for longer, La Gruta said.
Analysis of human datasets also found elevated Granzyme K levels in patients with several inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, including lupus nephritis and heart failure.
The researchers are now investigating ways to selectively block Granzyme K to determine whether targeting the protein later in life could provide similar protection, while further research is needed to determine whether the same benefits could also be achieved in humans. ■
