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Gamma/delta T lymphocytes are affected in the elderly.
Giuseppina Colonna-Romano1, Marcella Potestio, Alessandra Aquino
1Laboratorio di Immunopatologica, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, Università di Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134 Palermo, Italy.
Experimental Gerontology
|January 5, 2002
Summary
The number of gammadelta T cells decreases in the elderly, with remaining cells showing signs of chronic activation. This altered immune cell profile may impact inflammatory responses in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Gammadelta T lymphocytes bridge innate and adaptive immunity.
- Aging is associated with significant immune system remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gammadelta T cells in immune system changes in the elderly.
- To characterize the number, activation status, and function of gammadelta T cells in older individuals.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of peripheral blood gammadelta T cell counts in elderly subjects.
- Assessment of CD69 expression and TNF-alpha production at the single-cell level.
- In vitro functional assays, including response to IPP stimulation.
Main Results:
- Reduced absolute numbers of gammadelta T cells in old and very old subjects.
- Increased basal CD69 expression and TNF-alpha production in gammadelta T cells from elderly individuals.
- Partially impaired in vitro response to IPP in gammadelta T cells from centenarians.
Conclusions:
- Gammadelta T cells in the elderly exhibit a chronically activated phenotype, likely due to an "inflamed" environment.
- Changes in gammadelta T cell number and function may affect the resolution of inflammation in aging populations.