Document Detail


Telomere/telomerase dynamics within the human immune system: effect of chronic infection and stress.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20833238     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Aging of the immune system is a major factor responsible for the increased severity of infections, reduced responses to vaccines, and higher cancer incidence in the elderly. A major category of stressors that contribute to the alterations within the T lymphocyte compartment is the family of herpes viruses. These viruses, usually acquired early in life, persist for many decades and drive certain T cells to the end stage of replicative senescence, which is characterized by a variety of phenotypic and functional changes, including altered cytokine profile, resistance to apoptosis, and shortened telomeres. Indeed, high proportions of senescent CD8 (cytotoxic) T lymphocytess are associated with latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the elderly, and are part of a cluster of immune biomarkers that are associated with early mortality. Similar cells accumulate at younger ages in persons chronically infected with HIV-1. In addition to persistent viral infection, psychological stress as well as oxidative stress can also contribute to the generation of senescent dysfunctional T lymphocytes. Strategies such as cell culture manipulation of replicative senescence, as well as lifestyle and stress reduction techniques are discussed in terms of possible approaches to enhance immune function in older persons. This review highlights the importance of using humans in studies on immunosenescence and telomere/telomerase dynamics, since model organisms employed in other facets of aging research are not subject to the particular factors that cause the striking age-related reconfiguration of the human immune system.
Authors:
Rita B Effros
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review     Date:  2010-09-15
Journal Detail:
Title:  Experimental gerontology     Volume:  46     ISSN:  1873-6815     ISO Abbreviation:  Exp. Gerontol.     Publication Date:    2011 Feb-Mar
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-01-25     Completed Date:  2011-04-29     Revised Date:  2012-02-02    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0047061     Medline TA:  Exp Gerontol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  135-40     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1732, USA. reffros@mednet.ucla.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aging / immunology*
Cell Proliferation
Humans
Immune System / metabolism*
T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
Telomerase / metabolism*
Telomere / metabolism*
Virus Diseases / immunology
Virus Latency
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
AG 023720/AG/NIA NIH HHS; AI 060362/AI/NIAID NIH HHS; R01 AG023720-01A1/AG/NIA NIH HHS; R01 AG023720-05/AG/NIA NIH HHS; R01 AI060362-01/AI/NIAID NIH HHS; R01 AI060362-05/AI/NIAID NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
EC 2.7.7.49/Telomerase

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