National Institute on Aging Researchers Discuss Findings in Immunology (Homeodomain-only protein suppresses proliferation and contributes to differentiation- and age-related reduced CD8+ T cell expansion).

A recent study conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Aging has found that a protein called homeodomain-only protein (HOPX) negatively regulates the activation-induced proliferation of human T cells. The study also revealed that HOPX expression increases with age and that reducing HOPX levels enhances the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in older adults. These findings suggest that HOPX plays a crucial role in T cell differentiation and age-related reduction in T cell proliferation. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these regulatory processes. [Extracted from the article]