Heterozygous OT-I mice reveal that antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells shift from apoptotic to necrotic killers in the elderly.

ABSTRACT: Numerous alterations in CD8⁺ T cells contribute to impaired immune responses in elderly individuals. However, the discrimination between cell-intrinsic dysfunctions and microenvironmental changes is challenging. TCR transgenic OT-I mice are utilized to investigate CD8⁺ T-cell immunity, but their immunodeficient phenotype hampers their use especially in aging. Here, we demonstrate that using a heterozygous OT-I model minimizes the current limitations and provides a valuable tool to assess antigen-specific T-cell responses even at old age. We analyzed phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD8⁺ T cells from OT-I^+/+ and OT-I^+/- mice to prove the applicability of the heterozygous system. Our data reveal that OVA-activated CD8^+</

SUBMITTER: Zophel D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10265152 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature