Glycyrrhizic acid inhibits myeloid differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells by binding S100 calcium binding protein A8 to improve cognition in aged mice

BACKGROUND: Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a saponin compound often used as a flavoring agent, can elicit anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, and alleviate aging. However, the specific mechanism by which GA alters immune cell populations to produce these beneficial effects is currently unclear. RESULTS: In this study, we systematically analyzed single-cell sequencing data of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young mice, aged mice, and GA-treated aged mice. Our in vivo results show that GA reduced senescence-induced increases in macrophages and neutrophils, and increased numbers of lymphoid lineage subpopulations specifically reduced by senescence. In vitro, GA significantly promoted differentiation of Lin(−)CD117(+) hematopoietic stem cells toward lymphoid lineages, especially CD8(+) T cells. Moreover, GA inhibited differentiation of CD4(+) T cells and myeloid (CD11b(+)) cells by binding to S100 calcium-binding protein 8 (S100A8) protein. Overexpression of S100A8 in Lin(−) CD117(+) hematopoietic stem cells enhanced cognition in aged mice and the immune reconstitution of severely immunodeficient B-NDG (NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/l2rgtm1/Bcgen) mice. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, GA exerts anti-aging effects by binding to S100A8 to remodel the immune system of aged mice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12979-023-00337-9.