Early priming minimizes the age-related immune compromise of CD8⁺ T cell diversity and function.

ABSTRACT: The elderly are particularly susceptible to influenza A virus infections, with increased occurrence, disease severity and reduced vaccine efficacy attributed to declining immunity. Experimentally, the age-dependent decline in influenza-specific CD8(+) T cell responsiveness reflects both functional compromise and the emergence of 'repertoire holes' arising from the loss of low frequency clonotypes. In this study, we asked whether early priming limits the time-related attrition of immune competence. Though primary responses in aged mice were compromised, animals vaccinated at 6 weeks then challenged >20 months later had T-cell responses that were normal in magnitude. Both functional quality and the persistence of 'preferred' TCR clonotypes that expand in a characteristic immunodominance hier

SUBMITTER: Valkenburg SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3285595 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature