IL-23R Identified as Key Biomarker of Aging and Senescence

• Ene 8, 2025 - 15:37

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have discovered that interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) is a significant biomarker of cellular senescence and aging in both mice and humans. Their findings suggest that IL-23R levels rise with age and can be reduced by senolytic therapies, which clear senescent cells from the body.

Cellular senescence occurs when cells stop dividing but remain metabolically active, secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines without triggering apoptosis. These senescent cells have been linked to several age-related diseases, affecting the immune, cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems.

The identification of a reliable biomarker for active senescent cells could inform clinical interventions and potentially prevent disease before it develops. In their study, "IL-23R is a senescence-linked circulating and tissue biomarker of aging," published in Nature Aging, the researchers sought to identify biomarkers associated with cellular senescence and tested their responsiveness to various therapeutics in mice of different ages.

The team analyzed 92 plasma proteins through the Olink Target 96 Mouse Exploratory panel and further examined tissues like the kidney, liver, spleen, and lungs for gene expression related to senescence and inflammation. They used short-term drug interventions—including venetoclax, navitoclax, fisetin, and luteolin—to clear senescent cells and observed changes in plasma proteins and tissue markers.

Their results highlighted three plasma proteins—IL-23R, CCL5, and CA13—that showed age-related alterations in both circulation and tissue samples, suggesting they could serve as potential biomarkers. Notably, IL-23R levels increased with age in both mice and humans, and its levels decreased in response to senolytic therapies.

IL-23R emerged as the most promising biomarker due to its consistent association with aging across multiple tissue parameters. Its strong correlation with other senescence markers makes it a potential tool for tracking systemic senescent cell burden and could play a critical role in understanding and preventing age-related diseases.

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