Stress-generated cortisol found to cause premature aging of immune system

July 16, 2008 | Source: KurzweilAI

A new UCLA study suggests cortisol is the culprit behind premature aging of the immune system in stressed-out people.

Immune cells (stained blue) end in protective caps called telomeres (stained yellow) that are shorter in the elderly -- and in persons suffering chronic stress. A new UCLA study suggests cortisol is the culprit behind premature aging of the immune system in stressed-out people. (UCLA/Effros lab)

Immune cells (stained blue) end in protective caps called telomeres (stained yellow) that are shorter in the elderly -- and in persons suffering chronic stress. A new UCLA study suggests cortisol is the culprit behind premature aging of the immune system in stressed-out people. (UCLA/Effros lab)

UCLA scientists found that the stress hormone cortisol suppresses immune cells’ ability to activate their telomerase, an enzyme within the cell that keeps immune cells young by preserving their telomere length and ability to continue dividing. This may explain why the cells of persons under chronic stress have shorter telomeres, which are linked to a range of human diseases, including HIV, osteoporosis, heart disease and aging.

If cortisol remains elevated in the bloodstream for long periods of time, it wears down the immune system.

UCLA researchers are testing therapeutic ways of enhancing telomerase levels to help the immune system ward off cortisol’s effect.

University of California – Los Angeles news release