Aging alters antiviral signaling pathways resulting in functional impairment in innate immunity in response to pattern recognition receptor agonists

Jennifer Connors, Bhavani Taramangalam, Gina Cusimano, Matthew R. Bell, Stephanie M. Matt, Kaitlyn Runner, Peter J. Gaskill, Victor DeFilippis, Janko Nikolich-Žugich, Michele A. Kutzler, Elias K. Haddad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The progressive impairment of immunity to pathogens and vaccines with aging is a significant public health problem as the world population shifts to an increased percentage of older adults (> 65). We have previously demonstrated that cells obtained from older volunteers have delayed and defective induction of type I interferons and T cell and B cell helper cytokines in response to TLR ligands when compared to those from adult subjects. However, the underlying intracellular mechanisms are not well described. Herein, we studied two critical pathways important in the production of type I interferon (IFN), the interferon response factor 7 (pIRF7), and TANK-binding kinase (pTBK-1). We show a decrease in pIRF7 and pTBK-1 in cross-priming dendritic cells (cDC1s), CD4+ T cell priming DCs (cDC2s), and CD14dimCD16+ vascular patrolling monocytes from older adults (n = 11) following stimulation with pathway-specific agonists in comparison with young individuals (n = 11). The decrease in these key antiviral pathway proteins correlates with decreased phagocytosis, suggesting impaired function in Overall, our findings describe molecular mechanisms which explain the innate functional impairment in older adults and thus could inform us of novel approaches to restore these defects. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2555-2572
Number of pages18
JournalGeroScience
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Antiviral
  • Dendritic cells
  • Interferons
  • Monocytes
  • Phagocytosis
  • Vaccines

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aging
  • veterinary (miscalleneous)
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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