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Effect of age on cutaneous interleukin 1 expression
D N Sauder1, U Ponnappan, B Cinader
1Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Immunology Letters
|January 31, 1989
Summary
Skin aging reduces immune function, specifically decreasing interleukin-1 (IL-1) mRNA expression in mice. This decline was observed across all strains, with MRL/MpJ+ mice showing the most prominent decrease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Epidermal immune function changes with age, including alterations in Langerhans cells and reduced cytokine activity.
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a role in skin immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in interleukin-1 (IL-1) mRNA expression in mouse skin.
- To determine if IL-1 expression declines with age across different mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Quantified interleukin-1 (IL-1) mRNA expression in mice aged 6 to 102 weeks.
- Utilized different mouse strains for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- A significant decline in cutaneous IL-1 mRNA expression was observed in all mouse strains examined.
- MRL/MpJ+ mice exhibited the most prominent rate of IL-1 decline, correlating with their initially high IL-1 levels.
Conclusions:
- Cutaneous IL-1 expression significantly decreases with age in mice.
- The rate of decline in IL-1 expression may be inversely related to initial levels, a phenomenon termed 'economic correction'.