Aging Impairs Alveolar Macrophage Phagocytosis and Increases Influenza-Induced Mortality in Mice.

ABSTRACT: Influenza viral infections often lead to increased mortality in older people. However, the mechanisms by which aging impacts immunity to influenza lung infection remain unclear. We employed a murine model of influenza infection to identify these mechanisms. With aging, we found reduced numbers of alveolar macrophages, cells essential for lung homeostasis. We also determined that these macrophages are critical for influenza-induced mortality with aging. Furthermore, aging vastly alters the transcriptional profile and specifically downregulates cell cycling pathways in alveolar macrophages. Aging impairs the ability of alveolar macrophages to limit lung damage during influenza infection. Moreover, aging decreases alveolar macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils, downregulates the sc

SUBMITTER: Wong CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5557035 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature