Enhanced immunity in slowly aging mutant mice with high mitochondrial oxidative stress

The mitochondria of slowly aging Mclk1(+/-) mutant mice produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These animals display enhanced immune reactivity in response to lipopolysaccharide, Salmonella, and tumor-cell grafts, experience limited damage from these treatments and are partially protected from infection and tumorigenesis. We propose that the activation of the immune system by mitochondrial ROS reduces the rate of aging.