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Cited by 173Asthma and respiratory diseasesNeutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative MechanismsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research

Immune dysregulation in the aging human lung

Meyer, K C, Ershler, W, Rosenthal, N S, Lu, X G, Peterson, K·1996·American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
DOI 10.1164/ajrccm.153.3.8630547
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Abstract

Aging has been associated with diminished lung function and increased susceptibility to lung infection. To determine whether changes suggestive of immune dysregulation and inflammation appear in the lungs of clinically normal individuals as a function of advancing age, we performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on discontinuous age groups (20-36, 45-55, and 65-78 yr old) of clinically normal volunteer subjects. We measured immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM), albumin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 concentrations in BAL fluid. Bronchoalveolar cell profiles, cell surface antigen expression, and superoxide anion production were also measured. A significant increase in total cell concentration, neutrophils, and BAL immunoglobulin content was observed in the oldest age group compared with the youngest age group. Mean lymphocyte subset (CD4+/CD8+) ratios were significantly increased in blood (2.6 +/- 0.4 versus 1.6 +/- 0.1; p<0.03) and to a greater degree in BAL (4.8 +/- 1.0 versus 1.9 +/- 0.2; p<0.01) for the oldest versus youngest age groups. Similarly, BAL-derived cells displayed significantly increased phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated release of superoxide anion (8.8 +/- 1.3 versus 4.5 +/- 0.7 nmol/5 x 10 5 cells/h; p<0.01) for the oldest versus youngest subject group, and mean BAL IL-6 concentrations were significantly elevated in the oldest age group (0.86 +/- 0.13 ng/ml) compared with the youngest age group (0.53 +/- 0.03 ng/ml; p<0.01). Our observations suggest that altered inflammatory cell profiles and low-grade inflammation exist in the lower respiratory tracts of many asymptomatic, clinically normal volunteers of advanced age.

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Crossref · 10.1164/ajrccm.153.3.8630547

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  • Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, the most common cytokines associated with SASP, are elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage of patients aged 65 years and older.

    “In particular, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, the most common cytokines associated with SASP, are elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage of patients aged 65 years and older.82”

    From The costs and benefits of senotherapeutics for human health (2022) · cites this paper as [82]

  • The increased burden of senescent cells, together with the release of inflammatory cytokines associated with SASP, contribute to chronic inflammation in the lung.

    “The increased burden of senescent cells, together with the release of inflammatory cytokines associated with SASP, contribute to chronic inflammation in the lung.81”

    From The costs and benefits of senotherapeutics for human health (2022) · cites this paper as [81]

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Authors
Meyer, K. C., Ershler, W., Rosenthal, N. S., Lu, X. G., & Peterson, K.
Affiliations
University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
1996-03-01
Volume
153
Issue
3
Pages
1072-1079
ISSN
  • 1073-449X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-4970
DOI
10.1164/ajrccm.153.3.8630547
OpenAlex
W2058685463
Cited by
173
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 7
FWCI
3.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights (vor)
Locations
  • American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Asthma and respiratory diseases
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
Keywords
lung aging, immune dysregulation, low-grade inflammation, bronchoalveolar lavage, immunoglobulins, interleukin-6, IL-10, neutrophilia, lymphocyte subsets, superoxide production, respiratory inflammation
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aging, Albumins, Antigens, Surface, Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid, Disease Susceptibility, Female, Humans, Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin G, Lung, Lung Diseases, Male, Middle Aged, Neutrophils, Pneumonia, Superoxides, Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate, Interleukin-6, CD4-CD8 Ratio, Interleukin-10

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