Aging augments obesity-induced thymic involution and peripheral T cell exhaustion altering the "obesity paradox".

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The incidence of obesity, a condition characterized by systemic chronic inflammation, has reached pandemic proportions and is a poor prognostic factor in many pathologic states. However, its role on immune parameters has been diverse and at times contradictory. We have previously demonstrated that obesity can result in what has been called the "obesity paradox" which results in increased T cell exhaustion, but also greater efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer treatment.

Methods

The role of obesity, particularly in the context of aging, has not been robustly explored using preclinical models. We therefore evaluated how age impacts the immune environment on T cell development and function using diet-induced obese (DIO) mice.

Results

We observed

SUBMITTER: Vick LV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9910174 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature