Lipid-laden partially-activated plasmacytoid and CD4(-)CD8α(+) dendritic cells accumulate in tissues in elderly mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aging is associated with a decline in lymphocyte function however, little is known about dendritic cell (DC) subsets and aging. Aging is also associated with increasing circulating lipid levels and intracellular lipid accumulation modulates DC function. Whether age-associated increases in lipid levels influence DC biology is unknown. Thus, the effects of aging on DC subsets were assessed in vivo using young adult and elderly C57BL/6 J mice.

Results

Major age-related changes included increased CD11c(+) DC numbers in lymph nodes, spleens and livers, but not lungs, and significantly increased proportions of plasmacytoid (pDC) and CD4(-)CD8α(+) DCs in lymph nodes and livers. Other changes included altered pDC activation status (decreased CD40, increased MHC class-I an

SUBMITTER: Gardner JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4118209 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature