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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
High-Throughput Transcriptome Analysis for Investigating Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: March 5, 2022
Transcriptomic biomarkers of the response of hospitalized geriatric patients with infectious diseases
Thi Kim Duy Vo1, Patrice Godard, Marie de Saint-Hubert
1Unit of Research on Cellular Biology, NARILIS-Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences, University of Namur (FUNDP), Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium. olivier.toussaint@fundp.ac.be.
Background:
Infectious diseases are significant causes of morbidity and mortality among elderly populations. However, the relationship between oxidative stress, immune function and inflammatory response in acute phase of the infectious disease is poorly understood.
Results:
Herein the abundance of a selection of 148 transcripts involved in immunosenescence and stress response was compared in total RNA of PBMC of 28 healthy aged probands and 39 aged patients in acute phase of infectious disease (day 2-4 after hospitalization) or in convalescence phase (day 7-10). This study provides a list of 24 differentially abundant transcript species in the acute phase versus healthy aged. For instance, transcripts associated with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions (TNFRSF1A, IL1R1, IL1R2, IL10RB) and with oxidative stress (HMOX1, GPX1, SOD2, PRDX6) were more abundant while those associated with T-cell functions (CD28, CD69, LCK) were less abundant in acute phase. The abundance of seven of these transcripts (CD28, CD69, LCK, CTSD, HMOX1, TNFRSF1A and PRDX6) was already known to be altered in healthy aged probands compared to healthy young ones and was further affected in aged patients in acute phase, compromising an efficient response.
Conclusion:
This work provides insights of the state of acute phase response to infections in elderly patients and could explain further the lack of appropriate response in the elderly compared to younger persons.
Insights
Infectious diseases impact the elderly, altering immune responses. This study reveals specific gene expression changes during acute infections in older adults, highlighting impaired immune cell function and increased inflammatory markers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Infectious diseases pose significant health risks to the elderly population.
- The interplay between oxidative stress, immune function, and inflammation during acute infections in older adults remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate transcriptomic differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between healthy aged individuals and those in the acute or convalescent phases of infectious disease.
- To identify specific molecular pathways and genes affected during acute infectious disease in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of 148 transcripts related to immunosenescence and stress response.
- Utilized RNA from PBMCs of healthy aged individuals (n=28) and aged patients during acute (n=39, day 2-4) and convalescent (day 7-10) infection phases.
- Identified 24 differentially abundant transcripts in the acute phase compared to healthy aged controls.
Main Results:
- Increased abundance of transcripts linked to inflammation (e.g., TNFRSF1A, IL1R1) and oxidative stress (e.g., HMOX1, SOD2) during acute infection.
- Decreased abundance of transcripts associated with T-cell functions (e.g., CD28, LCK) in patients during the acute phase.
- Seven transcripts (CD28, CD69, LCK, CTSD, HMOX1, TNFRSF1A, PRDX6) showed altered expression in aged patients, building upon known changes in healthy aging.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the molecular state of the acute phase response in elderly patients with infections.
- Identified transcriptomic alterations may explain the diminished immune response observed in the elderly compared to younger individuals.
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