Core Insights - Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have discovered a type of immune cell that may help delay aging and provide new approaches for diagnosing and treating age-related diseases [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - Aging cells in the human body are defined as cells that irreversibly stop dividing due to chromosomal damage under stress, accumulating with age and leading to various age-related diseases [1] - A previously underappreciated subset of CD4 helper T cells accumulates with age, which was initially overlooked by researchers [1] - A study in Japan on centenarians revealed that their immune systems are rich in this subset of helper T cells [1] Group 2: Mechanism and Implications - CD4 helper T cells have the ability to "clean up" aging cells, as confirmed by experiments on mice [1] - Reducing the number of these helper T cells in mice leads to accelerated aging and shorter lifespan, while increasing their numbers helps delay aging [1] - The research suggests that rather than needing an "overactive immune system," a properly functioning immune system aligned with life stages is essential for combating aging [1]