Age-Associated Changes in the Respiratory Epithelial Response to Influenza Infection.

ABSTRACT: Older adults suffer a disproportionate burden of influenza-related morbidity and mortality typically attributed to defects in the aging immune system collectively known as immunosenescence. While the age-related decline in the adaptive immune system has been well characterized, little is known about how aging affects the principal site of influenza infection-the nasal epithelium. In human nasal epithelial cell cultures (hNECs) from older adults, we found similar or increased levels of cytokines during influenza infection compared with hNECs from younger individuals. However, hNECs from older individuals demonstrated decreased mRNA expression for several key proteins that affect clearance of infected cells, including MHC-I and transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP). These fi

SUBMITTER: Chason KD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6230210 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature