Fetal thymus graft prevents age-related hearing loss and up regulation of the IL-1 receptor type II gene in CD4+ T cells

We found that rejuvenation of the recipient immunity by inoculation of young CD4(+) T cells or a fetal thymus graft led to down regulation of the interleukin 1 receptor type II (IL-1R2) gene in CD4(+) T cells and reduced age-related hearing loss and degeneration of the spiral ganglion in SAMP1 mice, a murine model of human senescence. Our studies on the relationship between age-related systemic immune dysfunctions and neurodegeneration mechanisms open up new avenues of treatment of neurosenescence, including presbycusis, for which there is no effective therapy. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.