Increased T-bet is associated with senescence of influenza virus-specific CD8 T cells in aged humans.

ABSTRACT: Aged individuals have increased morbidity and mortality following influenza and other viral infections, despite previous exposure or vaccination. Mouse and human studies suggest increased senescence and/or exhaustion of influenza virus-specific CD8 T cells with advanced age. However, neither the relationship between senescence and exhaustion nor the underlying transcriptional pathways leading to decreased function of influenza virus-specific cellular immunity in elderly humans are well-defined. Here, we demonstrate that increased percentages of CD8 T cells from aged individuals express CD57 and KLRG1, along with PD-1 and other inhibitory receptors, markers of senescence, or exhaustion, respectively. Expression of T-box transcription factors, T-bet and Eomes, were also increased in CD8 T ce

SUBMITTER: Dolfi DV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4051188 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature