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Expansion of Tregs in Aged, but not Young Mice following Influenza Infection (89.7)
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Expansion of Tregs in Aged, but not Young Mice following Influenza Infection (89.7)

Yolanda Williams-Bey, Jiu Jiang and Donna M Murasko
The Journal of immunology (1950), v 182(1_Supplement), pp 89-89.7
01 Apr 2009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.182.Supp.89.7

Abstract

Abstract The increase mortality and morbidity commonly seen with aging is believed to be in part due to a negatively altered immune response. The role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in relation to reduced immune response in aging was investigated. In this study we compared the function and phenotype of Tregs isolated from young (4-6 mos) and aged (18-22mos) C57bl/6 mice. Both young and aged Tregs significantly reduced the activation and expansion of specific CD8 T cells, however there was no difference in the level of suppression induced by young versus aged Tregs. There was a strong negative correlation between Treg percentage and CD8 T cell activation. To further establish the negative correlation between specific CD8 T cell expansion and Tregs, mice were infected intravenously (i.v.) with influenza virus (PR8 strain) and sacrificed 5, 7 and 10 days post infection. While adult mice produce a strong response to influenza aged mice had a reduced and delayed response. Aged mice demonstrated a significant increase in the proportion of Treg over the course of infection, while young mice demonstrated no such change, maintaining a consistent percentage of Tregs. Our results suggest the increase in Tregs following influenza infection interfere with specific CD8 T cell expansion and function. These studies demonstrate the further need to assess the role of Tregs in the decreased immune response in elderly individuals.

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