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Liver-Targeted mRNA Therapy Rejuvenates T-Cell Immunity in Aging Mice

The study uses the liver as a controllable source of thymic signals to restore aged T-cell function without permanently altering tissues.

Overview

  • The peer-reviewed Nature paper details twice-weekly lipid nanoparticle injections carrying mRNAs for DLL1, FLT-3 and IL-7 that are taken up by hepatocytes.
  • Treated 18-month-old mice developed larger, more diverse T-cell populations and showed a twofold rise in antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells after ovalbumin vaccination.
  • In tumor models, combining the mRNA regimen with PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition improved survival compared with checkpoint therapy alone.
  • The approach repurposes the liver as a temporary protein-secretion hub by design, and the full immune benefit required all three factors together.
  • Researchers report no signs of autoimmunity or liver toxicity in mice and plan further animal studies and factor optimization before any human testing.