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[Age-dependent changes in "intracellular immunity" to virus infections]
H C Schröder1, M Kelve, K Pfeifer
1Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Universität, Mainz, Germany.
Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Aging impairs the antiviral 2
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) system is crucial for innate antiviral defense.
- Enzyme activities within the 2-5A system change during aging and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related alterations in the 2-5A antiviral system in rats.
- To determine how these changes affect the suppression of viral replication.
Main Methods:
- Assessed activities of 2-5A synthase (2-5OAS) and 2-5A nuclease in rat tissues across different age groups.
- Measured 2-5A content and the activity/amount of 2-5A-dependent ribonuclease (RNase L).
- Utilized cross-linking, nitrocellulose binding, and rRNA cleavage assays for RNase L analysis.
Main Results:
- 2-5OAS activity peaked in young adults and decreased significantly in old rats.
- 2-5A nuclease activity increased with age, leading to reduced cellular 2-5A levels.
- RNase L activity in old rats' livers decreased 5-6 fold, with a minor reduction in nuclear matrix fraction.
Conclusions:
- The antiviral efficacy of the 2-5A system is compromised in aged cells.
- Impaired 2-5A system function in old age leads to reduced suppression of virus production.