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Aging disturbs the balance between effector and regulatory CD4+ T cells
Kornelis S M van der Geest1, Wayel H Abdulahad1, Sarah M Tete1
1Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Experimental Gerontology
|December 3, 2014
Summary
Aging significantly alters the balance of immune cells. Regulatory T (Treg) cells increase while effector T (Teff) cells, particularly Th17, decrease, impacting immune responses in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Aging Research
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Optimal immune function in aging relies on a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses.
- CD4+ T cells are crucial for immune responses, but aging's impact on the balance between effector T (Teff) and regulatory T (Treg) cells is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how aging affects the ratio of Treg to Teff cells in healthy individuals.
- To determine the changes in naive Treg (nTreg) and memory Treg (memTreg) cell populations with age.
- To assess the impact of these age-related immune shifts on vaccination responses.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze Treg (nTreg and memTreg) cell percentages in peripheral blood from individuals aged 20-84.
- Intracellular staining identified circulating Th1, Th2, and Th17 effector cells after in vitro stimulation.
- Treg/Teff ratios were calculated and correlated with influenza vaccination responses.
Main Results:
- Naive Treg (nTreg) cell proportions decreased with age, while memory Treg (memTreg) cell proportions increased.
- Th1 and Th2 effector cells were maintained, but Th17 cells decreased in aged individuals.
- Increased memTreg cells in the elderly were associated with diminished responses to influenza vaccination, indicating a disturbed Treg/Teff balance.
Conclusions:
- Aging disrupts the balance between Treg and Teff cells, characterized by an increase in memTreg cells and a decrease in Th17 cells.
- The observed shift in immune cell populations with aging may contribute to impaired immune surveillance and reduced vaccine efficacy in the elderly.
- Further research is needed to understand the functional consequences of these age-related immune alterations.
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