Age-associated deficiency in activation-induced up-regulation of telomerase activity in CD4+ T cells

Abstract

SummaryFor lymphocytes, the ability to undergo clonal expansion is crucial for effective immune function. Telomerase activity compensates for telomere erosion during cell division and contributes to the capability of lymphocytes to maintain cellular proliferation. In addition, telomerase activity may have a fundamental role in cell growth and survival. To determine whether age-related immune dysfunction is associated with an abnormality in telomerase activity, we investigated telomerase activity in T cell populations from young adult and aged mice. Our data show that the ability of T cells from aged mice to up-regulate telomerase activity after activation was significantly diminished. This age-related deficiency in telomerase induction is restricted to CD4

Declined hTERT expression of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in oral lichen planus correlated with clinical parameter

“…This dissociation between CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in hTERT expression may result from the divergent behavior with age of CD4 + T cells and their CD8 counterparts . The phenomenon that most substantial changes in the immune system during aging take place in the T‐cell populations, especially CD4 + T helper cells could provide evidence for our results .…”

“…Age‐related immune dysfunction is associated with an abnormality in telomerase activity . Here, we compared the hTERT expression patterns of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells in different age groups of OLP patients with control subjects.…”

“…Next, we examined the correlation of hTERT in OLP with age and demonstrated there was an age‐associated upregulation of telomerase activity in CD4 + T cells in patients with OLP, but not in CD8 + T cells. Yet, Marinova et al, in a mouse model, found that age‐related deficiency in telomerase induction was restricted to CD4 + T cells, as CD8 + T cells retained the capability to upregulate telomerase activity . This dissociation between CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in hTERT expression may result from the divergent behavior with age of CD4 + T cells and their CD8 counterparts .…”