The influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on immune system aging

Immunobiology. 2014 Jun;219(6):482-5. doi: 10.1016/j.imbio.2014.02.008. Epub 2014 Feb 28.

Abstract

Sex and age-matched wild-type and TCR transgenic mice were infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) at 6 months of age and followed for 12 additional months to examine aging of the immune system. It was found that viral infection of C57Bl/6 mice resulted in accelerated aging of the immune system as shown by a loss of CD8(+)28(+) cells and an accumulation of KLRG1(+) T cells. CMV infection of OT-1 transgenic mice had no influence on immune aging of these mice which nonetheless demonstrated an accumulation of CD8(+)28(-) and KLRG1(+) T cells with time. CD4(+) T cells were unaffected in either strain of mice. Thus, immunological aging was found to be due to both cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors. Persistent viral infections may accelerate immunological aging but consideration must be given to individual variation in the aging process.

Keywords: Aging; Immunity; MCMV; Mice; OT-1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aging / immunology*
  • Animals
  • CD28 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology*
  • Immune System
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Muromegalovirus / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / biosynthesis

Substances

  • CD28 Antigens
  • CD8 Antigens
  • Klrg1 protein, mouse
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Immunologic