Dendritic cells from aged subjects contribute to chronic airway inflammation by activating bronchial epithelial cells under steady state.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of the elderly to respiratory infections are not well understood. The crosstalk between the dendritic cells (DCs) and epithelial cells is essential in maintaining tolerance as well as in generating immunity in the respiratory mucosa. DCs from aged subjects display an enhanced basal level of activation, which can affect the function of epithelial cells. Our results suggest that this is indeed the scenario as exposure of primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) to supernatants from unstimulated DCs of aged subjects resulted in activation of PBECs. The expression of CCL20, CCL26, CXCL10, mucin, and CD54 was significantly increased in the PBECs exposed to aged DC supernatants, but not to young DC supernatants. Furthermore, aged DC supern

SUBMITTER: Prakash S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4205198 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature