Cited by 260Influenza Virus Research StudiesImmune responses and vaccinationsImmune Response and Inflammation

Impaired immune responses in the lungs of aged mice following influenza infection

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Toapanta, Franklin R, Ross, Ted M·2009·Respiratory Research

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Each year, influenza virus infection causes severe morbidity and mortality, particularly in the most susceptible groups including children, the elderly (>65 years-old) and people with chronic respiratory diseases. Among the several factors that contribute to the increased susceptibility in elderly populations are the higher prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes) and the senescence of the immune system. METHODS: In this study, aged and adult mice were infected with sublethal doses of influenza virus (A/Puerto Rico/8/1934). Differences in weight loss, morbidity, virus titer and the kinetics of lung infiltration with cells of the innate and adaptive immune responses were analyzed. Additionally, the main cytokines and chemokines produced by these cells were also assayed. RESULTS: Compared to adult mice, aged mice had higher morbidity, lost weight more rapidly, and recovered more slowly from infection. There was a delay in the accumulation of granulocytic cells and conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), but not macrophages in the lungs of aged mice compared to adult animals. The delayed infiltration kinetics of APCs in aged animals correlated with alteration in their activation (CD40 expression), which also correlated with a delayed detection of cytokines and chemokines in lung homogenates. This was associated with retarded lung infiltration by natural killer (NK), CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Furthermore, the percentage of activated (CD69+) influenza-specific and IL-2 producer CD8+ T-cells was higher in adult mice compared to aged ones. Additionally, activation (CD69+) of adult B-cells was earlier and correlated with a quicker development of neutralizing antibodies in adult animals. CONCLUSION: Overall, alterations in APC priming and activation lead to delayed production of cytokines and chemokines in the lungs that ultimately affected the infiltration of immune cells following influenza infection. This resulted in delayed activation of the adaptive immune response and subsequent delay in clearance of virus and prolonged illness in aged animals. Since the elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population in developed countries, a better understanding of the changes that occur in the immune system during the aging process is a priority for the development of new vaccines and adjuvants to improve the immune responses in this population.

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  • There is an age-associated reduction in the upregulation of costimulatory molecules critical for T cell priming and dysregulated cytokine production by DCs.

    “There is an age-associated reduction in the upregulation of costimulatory molecules critical for T cell priming and dysregulated cytokine production by DCs (115, 117).”

    From Aging and Lung Disease (2020) · cites this paper as [115]

  • In experimental models, DC migration into the aged lung during influenza infection is reduced.

    “In experimental models, DC migration into the aged lung during influenza infection is reduced (115).”

    From Aging and Lung Disease (2020) · cites this paper as [115]

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Authors
Toapanta, F. R., & Ross, T. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
Corresponding author
  • Toapanta, Franklin R
  • Ross, Ted M
Venue
Respiratory Research
Published
2009-11-18
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
112-112
ISSN
  • 1465-9921 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-993X
OpenAlex
W2106535354
Cited by
259
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 23
FWCI
11.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Respiratory Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (n01ai50018-7-0-1)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM083602)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (N01AI50018)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Influenza Virus Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune responses and vaccinations
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Response and Inflammation
Keywords
influenza, immunosenescence, aged mice, lung immune response, antigen-presenting cells, myeloid dendritic cells, CD40, CD69, T cell activation, B cell activation, neutralizing antibodies, cytokines and chemokines
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aging, Animals, Antigen-Presenting Cells, B-Lymphocytes, Cell Line, Chemotaxis, Dendritic Cells, Disease Models, Animal, Dogs, Female, Granulocytes, Immunity, Innate, Kinetics, Lung, Lymphocyte Activation, Macrophages, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Orthomyxoviridae Infections, T-Lymphocytes, Weight Loss, Immunophenotyping, Cytokines, Chemokines, Mice, Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype, Adaptive Immunity

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