Animal study · Aging · 16 Oct 2026
In aging mice, blocking PD-L2 cut the buildup of senescent cells and improved glucose handling
Source: Cedars-Sinai / Cell Metabolism
What the research found
Study (mice, plus human cells and tissue). Selim Chaib, James Kirkland, and colleagues at Cedars-Sinai report in Cell Metabolism (DOI 10.1016/j.cmet.2026.08.014) that the surface marker PD-L2 may help senescent cells avoid immune clearance. In laboratory mice, removing or blocking PD-L2 reduced the buildup of those cells, lowered inflammatory signals, improved glucose handling, and produced a firmer hand grip. Senescent human cells made more PD-L2 than younger cells, and the marker rose with age in some human tissues. This is not a treatment for people. Some authors hold related patents, including licenses to a senescence company. Not medical advice.
Evidence level: Animal study. Results in animals or cells often don't carry over to people.
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