Cited by 235T-cell and B-cell ImmunologyPsoriasis: Treatment and PathogenesisIL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways

The Th17/Treg balance is disturbed during aging

Schmitt, Vanessa, Rink, Lothar, Uciechowski, Peter·2013·Experimental Gerontology

Abstract

Aging is associated with multiple changes in the proliferative and functional abilities of the immune system which are not related to any pathology but consequences in immunosenescence and inflammaging. T helper (TH) 17 cells have been implicated in the development of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases in humans. Additionally, a reciprocal relationship between these pro-inflammatory TH17 and the anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been described. Recent studies reported an increase of TH17 cells in aged humans and aged mice, but the role of TH17 cells and their relation to Tregs is poorly understood in human aging. This study investigated the proportion of TH17 (CD4+ IL23 receptor(R)+) cells and Tregs (CD4+ Foxp3+) as well as Interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 production in four different age groups from human healthy donors. The data revealed a continual increase of basal CD4+ IL23R+ cell amounts in the different age groups. By analyzing the balance of both T-cell subsets it was observed that, on a basal resting level, TH17 cells were significantly increased in older individuals whereas Tregs were reduced. However, the TH17/Treg ratio decreased age-dependently after stimulation and was accompanied by elevated Foxp3 mRNA and IL-10 protein expressions. In conclusion, changes of the TH17/Treg ratios in combination with altered cytokine expression during aging may contribute to an imbalance between the pro-inflammatory and the anti-inflammatory immune response. This indicates a higher susceptibility to develop inflammatory diseases with increasing age.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.exger.2013.09.003

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  • More recent focus has been on a possible accumulation of Th17 cells with age.

    “However, more recent focus has been on a possible accumulation of Th17 cells with age (i.e., IL-17 producing cells that are associated with autoimmunity and inflammatory disease) (Schmitt et al. 2013).”

    From Is immunosenescence influenced by our lifetime “dose” of exercise? (2016) · cites this paper as Schmitt et al. 2013

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Authors
Schmitt, V., Rink, L., & Uciechowski, P.
Affiliations
RWTH Aachen University (DE)
Corresponding author
Uciechowski, Peter
Venue
Experimental Gerontology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-12
Volume
48
Issue
12
Pages
1379-1386
ISSN
0531-5565 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2009341839
Cited by
235
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 9
FWCI
6.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Experimental Gerontology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › IL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways
Keywords
Th17/Treg balance, aging, immunosenescence, inflammaging, regulatory T cells, Th17 cells, IL23R, Foxp3, IL-17, IL-10, CD4+ T cells
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cells, Cultured, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Phenotype, Phytohemagglutinins, RNA, Messenger, Interleukin-10, Receptors, Interleukin, Th1 Cells, Inflammation Mediators, Interleukin-17, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory, Forkhead Transcription Factors, Young Adult, Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3, Healthy Volunteers

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