Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay
10:14

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

Published on: September 2, 2014

Telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from senile patients with pneumonia

Jian Liu1, Zhen Zhou, Xiaoqing Liu

  • 1Department of General Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical Sciences = Hua Zhong Ke Ji Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ying De Wen Ban = Huazhong Keji Daxue Xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen Ban
|July 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Telomerase activity and cell proliferation are reduced in elderly pneumonia patients. This decrease in telomerase activity may contribute to their weakened immune function.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gerontology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pneumonia is a common infection, particularly in the elderly.
  • Aging is associated with a decline in immune function.
  • Telomerase plays a role in immune cell function and longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of senile pneumonia patients.
  • To compare telomerase activity and proliferative responses between senile pneumonia patients, non-senile pneumonia patients, and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Examined telomerase activity in PBMCs before and after phytohemagglutinin-M (PHA-M) stimulation.
  • Assessed PBMC proliferative response using the MTT assay.
  • Compared results across three groups: controls, non-senile pneumonia patients, and senile pneumonia patients.

Main Results:

  • Telomerase activity was significantly lower in senile pneumonia patients compared to controls and non-senile pneumonia patients, both with and without PHA-M stimulation.
  • PBMC proliferative response was also significantly lower in senile pneumonia patients.
  • These findings were statistically significant (P<0.001 and P<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Telomerase activity is decreased in elderly patients suffering from pneumonia.
  • Reduced telomerase activity may be a contributing factor to the impaired immune function observed in these patients.
  • Further research into telomerase modulation could offer therapeutic avenues.

More Related Videos

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence12:08

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...