ROCHESTER, Minn., Aug. 15, 2025 — Seniors who maintain a “young” immune system may actually face an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, according to new research.
This so-called genetic “fountain of youth” could make individuals more susceptible to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease and psoriasis. While a youthful immune system typically offers better protection against infections, it comes with a significant drawback: autoimmunity.
“These patients have very young immune systems despite being in their 60s and 70s, but the price they pay for that is autoimmunity,” said lead researcher Dr. Cornelia Weyand, a rheumatologist and clinician-scientist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
The research team identified this phenomenon in over 100 seniors seeking treatment for giant cell arteritis, an autoimmune disease causing inflammation of the arteries. Untreated, it can lead to blindness.
The diseased tissue from these patients contained specialized immune cells known as stem-like T cells. These cells mimicked the behavior of young stem cells, which are crucial for healing and growth. However, in these specific patients, these immune cells were mistakenly attacking the body’s own healthy organs and tissues.
Further investigation revealed that immune checkpoint inhibitors, proteins vital for regulating the immune system and preventing self-attack, were not functioning correctly in these individuals.
These findings suggest that immune aging isn’t entirely detrimental. Instead, it may represent a sophisticated mechanism that helps the immune system adapt over time, acting as a natural defense against autoimmune diseases.
“Contrary to what one may think, there are benefits to having an immune system that ages in tandem with the body,” explained co-lead researcher Dr. Jörg Goronzy, a Mayo Clinic researcher focused on aging. “We need to consider the price to pay for immune youthfulness. That price can be autoimmune disease.”
The research team is now developing new diagnostic tests to identify individuals with high counts of these youthful immune stem cells, who may be at a greater risk for autoimmune diseases later in life.
