T cell aging: a review of the transcriptional changes determined from genome-wide analysis

Impacts of ageing on the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells recognizing CD19 (19CAR-T) cell therapy has achieved robust clinical efficacy when treating some hematological malignancies, but which patient subgroups benefit mostly remains elusive. Here we summarized the data of 541 patients from 30 clinical trials who underwent 19 CAR-T therapy and analyzed the different clinical responses between young (<44 years), middle-aged (45-59 years) and elderly (>60 years) patients and found that the young patients showed a higher level of complete response (CR) rate. Therefore, we then summarize the advances of studies focusing on the effects of age on anti-tumor efficacy of CAR-T therapy and analyze the reasons for the low CR rate after CAR-T cell therapy in elderly patients with tumors, aiming to provide hints for oncologists to select the most suitable candidate for this cancer immunotherapy.

Possibilities of using T-cell biophysical biomarkers of ageing

Ageing is interrelated with the development of immunosenescence. This article focuses on one of the cell sets of the adaptive immune system, T cells, and provides a review of the known changes in T cells associated with ageing. Such fundamental changes affect both cell molecular content and internal ordering. However, acquiring a complete description of the changes at these levels would require extensive measurements of parameters and, furthermore, important fine details of the internal ordering that may be difficult to detect. Therefore, an alternative approach for the characterisation of cells consists of the performance of physical measurements of the whole cell, such as deformability measurements or migration measurements: the physical parameters, complementing the commonly used chemical biomarkers, may contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of T-cell states during ageing. Mechanical measurements, among other biophysical measurements, have the advantage of their relative simplicity: one single parameter agglutinates the complex effects of the variety of changes that gradually appear in cells during ageing.

Pannexin Channel Regulation of Cell Migration: Focus on Immune Cells

The role of Pannexin (PANX) channels during collective and single cell migration is increasingly recognized. Amongst many functions that are relevant to cell migration, here we focus on the role of PANX-mediated adenine nucleotide release and associated autocrine and paracrine signaling. We also summarize the contribution of PANXs with the cytoskeleton, which is also key regulator of cell migration. PANXs, as mechanosensitive ATP releasing channels, provide a unique link between cell migration and purinergic communication. The functional association with several purinergic receptors, together with a plethora of signals that modulate their opening, allows PANX channels to integrate physical and chemical cues during inflammation. Ubiquitously expressed in almost all immune cells, PANX1 opening has been reported in different immunological contexts. Immune activation is the epitome coordination between cell communication and migration, as leukocytes (i.e., T cells, dendritic cells) exchange information while migrating towards the injury site. In the current review, we summarized the contribution of PANX channels during immune cell migration and recruitment; although we also compile the available evidence for non-immune cells (including fibroblasts, keratinocytes, astrocytes, and cancer cells). Finally, we discuss the current evidence of PANX1 and PANX3 channels as a both positive and/or negative regulator in different inflammatory conditions, proposing a general mechanism of these channels contribution during cell migration.

Immunosenescence as a reason of individualizing immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplantation

Transplantation in elderly patients is obviously more challenging due to existing underlying diseases, changes in pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressive drugs, polypragmasy, and transformation of immunoreactivity (immunosenescence). Our review presents data on modification of adaptive and innate immunity during aging. It also considers the possibility of both reduced and adapted immunosuppressive therapy in elderly renal transplant recipients in achieving an optimal balance between efficacy and complications.

The composition of the gut microbiota following early-life antibiotic exposure affects host health and longevity in later life

Studies investigating whether there is a causative link between the gut microbiota and lifespan have largely been restricted to invertebrates or to mice with a reduced lifespan because of a genetic deficiency. We investigate the effect of early-life antibiotic exposure on otherwise healthy, normal chow-fed, wild-type mice, monitoring these mice for more than 700 days in comparison with untreated control mice. We demonstrate the emergence of two different low-diversity community types, post-antibiotic microbiota (PAM) I and PAM II, following antibiotic exposure. PAM II but not PAM I mice have impaired immunity, increased insulin resistance, and evidence of increased inflammaging in later life as well as a reduced lifespan. Our data suggest that differences in the composition of the gut microbiota following antibiotic exposure differentially affect host health and longevity in later life.

Methods for Characterization of Senescent Circulating and Tumor-Infiltrating T-Cells: An Overview from Multicolor Flow Cytometry to Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

Immunosenescence is the general term used to describe the aging-associated decline of immunological function that explains the higher susceptibility to infectious diseases and cancer, increased autoimmunity, or the reduced effectiveness of vaccinations. Senescence of CD8+ T-cells has been described in all these conditions.The most important classical markers of T senescent cells are the cell cycle inhibitors p16ink4a, p21, and p53, together with positivity for SA-βgal expression and the acquirement of a peculiar IFNγ -based secretory phenotype commonly defined SASP (Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotype). Other surface markers are the CD28 and CD27 loss together with gain of expression of CD45RA, CD57, TIGIT, and/or KLRG1. However, this characterization could not be sufficient to distinguish from truly senescent cells and exhausted T-cells. Furthermore, more complexity is added by the wide heterogeneity of T-cells subset in aged individuals or in the tumor microenvironment. A combined analysis by multicolor flow cytometry for surface and intracellular markers integrated with gene-expression arrays and single-cell RNA sequencing is required to develop effective interventions for therapeutic modulation of specific T-cell subsets. The RNASeq offers the great possibility to reveal at single-cell resolution the exact molecular hallmarks of senescent CD8+ T-cells without the limitations of bulk analysis. Furthermore, the comprehensive integration of multidimensional approaches (genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics) will increase our global understanding of how immunosenescence of T-cells is interlinked to human aging.

Aging Phenotypes and Restoring Functional Deficits in Older Adults With Hematologic Malignancy

BACKGROUND

Gauging fitness remains a challenge among older adults with hematologic malignancies, and interventions to restore function are lacking. We pilot a structured exercise intervention and novel biologic correlates of aging using epigenetic clocks and markers of immunosenescence to evaluate changes in function and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Older adults (n=30) with hematologic malignancy actively receiving treatment were screened and enrolled in a 6-month exercise intervention, the Otago Exercise Programme (OEP). The impact of the OEP on geriatric assessment metrics and health-related quality of life were captured. Clinical outcomes of overall survival and hospital utilization (inpatient length of stay and emergency department use) in relationship to geriatric deficits were analyzed.

RESULTS

Older adults (median age, 75.5 years [range, 62-83 years]) actively receiving treatment were enrolled in the OEP. Instrumental activities of daily living and physical health scores (PHS) increased significantly with the OEP intervention (median PHS: visit 1, 55 [range, 0-100]; visit 2, 70 [range, 30-100]; P<.01). Patient-reported Karnofsky performance status increased significantly, and the improvement was sustained (median [range]: visit 1, 80 [40-100]; visit 3, 90 [50-100]; P=.05). Quality of life (Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System [PROMIS]) improved significantly by the end of the 6-month period (median [range]: visit 1, 32.4 [19.9-47.7]; visit 3, 36.2 [19.9-47.7]; P=.01]. Enhanced measures of gait speed and balance, using the Short Physical Performance Battery scores, were associated with a 20% decrease in risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.97; P=.03) and a shorter hospital length of stay (decrease of 1.29 days; 95% CI, -2.46 to -0.13; P=.03). Peripheral blood immunosenescent markers were analyzed in relationship to clinical frailty and reports of mPhenoAge epigenetic analysis are preliminarily reported. Chronologic age had no relationship to overall survival, length of stay, or emergency department utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

The OEP was effective in improving quality of life, and geriatric tools predicted survival and hospital utilization among older adults with hematologic malignancies.

Age-Related Gene Alteration in Naïve and Memory T cells Using Precise Age-Tracking Model

In aged individuals, age-related changes in immune cells, especially T cell deficiency, are associated with an increased incidence of infection, tumor, and autoimmune disease, as well as an impaired response to vaccination. However, the features of gene expression levels in aged T cells are still unknown. Our previous study successfully tracked aged T cells generated from one wave of developing thymocytes of young age by a lineage-specific and inducible Cre-controlled reporter (TCRδ^CreERR26^ZsGreen mouse strain). In this study, we utilized this model and genome-wide transcriptomic analysis to examine changes in gene expression in aged naïve and memory T cell populations during the aging process. We identified profound gene alterations in aged CD4 and CD8 T cells. Both aged CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ naïve T cells showed significantly decreased organelle function. Importantly, genes associated with lymphocyte activation and function demonstrated a significant increase in aged memory T cells, accompanied by upregulation of immunosuppressive markers and immune checkpoints, revealing an abnormal T cell function in aged cells. Furthermore, aging significantly affects T cell survival and death signaling. While aged CD4 memory T cells exhibited pro-apoptotic gene signatures, aged CD8 memory T cells expressed anti-apoptotic genes. Thus, the transcriptional analysis of gene expression and signaling pathways in aged T cell subsets shed light on our understanding of altered immune function with aging, which will have great potential for clinical interventions for older adults.

Vaccine-Induced CD8+ T Cell Responses in Children: A Review of Age-Specific Molecular Determinants Contributing to Antigen Cross-Presentation

Infections are most common and most severe at the extremes of age, the young and the elderly. Vaccination can be a key approach to enhance immunogenicity and protection against pathogens in these vulnerable populations, who have a functionally distinct immune system compared to other age groups. More than 50% of the vaccine market is for pediatric use, yet to date vaccine development is often empiric and not tailored to molecular distinctions in innate and adaptive immune activation in early life. With modern vaccine development shifting from whole-cell based vaccines to subunit vaccines also comes the need for formulations that can elicit a CD8+ T cell response when needed, for example, by promoting antigen cross-presentation. While our group and others have identified many cellular and molecular determinants of successful activation of antigen-presenting cells, B cells and CD4+ T cells in early life, much less is known about the ontogeny of CD8+ T cell induction. In this review, we summarize the literature pertaining to the frequency and phenotype of newborn and infant CD8+ T cells, and any evidence of induction of CD8+ T cells by currently licensed pediatric vaccine formulations. In addition, we review the molecular determinants of antigen cross-presentation on MHC I and successful CD8+ T cell induction and discuss potential distinctions that can be made in children. Finally, we discuss recent advances in development of novel adjuvants and provide future directions for basic and translational research in this area.

Comprehensive flow cytometric reference intervals of leukocyte subsets from six study centers across Europe

A group of European FOCIS Centers of Excellence adapted panels of the Human Immunophenotyping Consortium (HIPC) for whole blood analysis. Using four core panels [T/regulatory T cell/B/natural killer (T/Treg /B/NK) and myeloid cells] the main leukocyte populations were analyzed in a clinical-diagnostic setting in a harmonized manner across different platforms. As a first step, the consortium presents here the absolute and relative frequencies of the leukocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of more than 300 healthy volunteers across six different European centers.

Children From the Age of Three Show a Developmental Switch in T-Cell Differentiation

Every sixth child suffers from hypertrophy of the adenoid, a secondary lymphoid organ, at least once in childhood. Little is known about the impact of pathogen-provocation vs. developmental impact on T-cell responses after 1 year of age. Therefore, developmental and infection-driven influences on the formation of T-cell-compartments and -multifunctionality in adenoids were analyzed taking into account patient's history of age and inflammatory processes. Here, we show that in adenoids of 102 infants and children similar frequencies of naïve, effector, and memory T-cells were accumulated, whereby history of suffering from subsequent infection symptoms resulted in lower frequencies of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells co-expressing several cytokines. While patients suffering from sole nasal obstruction had balanced Th1- and Th17-compartments, Th1 dominated in patients with concomitant upper airway infections. In addition, analysis of cytokine co-expressing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells showed that children at the age of three or older differed significantly from those being 1- or 2-years old, implicating a developmental switch in T-cell differentiation at that age. Yet, dissecting age and infectious history of the patients revealed that while CD8⁺ T-cell differentiation seems to be triggered by development, CD4⁺ T-cell functionality is partly impaired by infections. However, this functionality recovers by the age of 3 years. Thus, 3 years of age seems to be a critical period in an infant's life to develop robust T-cell compartments of higher quality. These findings identify important areas for future research and distinguish an age period in early childhood when to consider adjusting the choice of treatment of infections.

Single-cell analyses identify dysfunctional CD16+ CD8 T cells in smokers

Tobacco smoke exposure contributes to the global burden of communicable and chronic diseases. To identify the immune cells affected by smoking, we use single-cell RNA sequencing on peripheral blood from smokers and nonsmokers. Transcriptomes reveal a subpopulation of FCGR3A (CD16)-expressing natural killer (NK)-like CD8 T lymphocytes that increase in smokers. Mass cytometry confirms elevated CD16⁺ CD8 T cells in smokers. Inferred as highly differentiated by pseudotime analysis, NK-like CD8 T cells express markers that are characteristic of effector memory re-expressing CD45RA T (T_EMRA) cells. Indicative of immune aging, smokers’ CD8 T cells are biased toward differentiated cells, and smokers have fewer naive cells than nonsmokers. DNA methylation-based models show that smoking dose is associated with accelerated aging and decreased telomere length, a biomarker of T cell senescence. Immune aging accompanies T cell senescence, which can ultimately lead to impaired immune function. This suggests a role for smoking-induced, senescence-associated immune dysregulation in smoking-mediated pathologies.

Smoking shifts the composition of CD8 T cells from naive to differentiated states

NK-like CD16⁺ CD8 T_EMRA cells are elevated in smokers and express GZMB and PRF1

DNA methylation links smoking dose with age acceleration and shortened telomeres

CD8 T, CD4 T, NKT, NK, and monocytes express senescence-linked genes in smokers

CD4+ T helper 17 cell response of aged mice promotes prostate cancer cell migration and invasion

BACKGROUND

Aging is the most important risk factor for prostate cancer (PCa), but how age contributes to PCa is poorly understood. Aging is characterized by low-grade systemic inflammation (i.e., inflammaging) that is often attributed to the progressive activation of immune cells over time, which may play an important role in prostate carcinogenesis. Th17 response is elevated in aging humans and mice, but it remains unknown whether it is increased in prostate tissue or contributes to prostate carcinogenesis during aging. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of age-related Th17 response in PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion.

METHODS

C57BL/6J (B6) mouse was used as an aging animal model and the prostate histopathology during aging was analyzed. Splenic CD4⁺ T cells were isolated from young (16-20 weeks old) and aged (96-104 weeks old) mice, and cultured in the presence of plate-bound anti-CD3/anti-CD28, with or without Th17 differentiation conditions. The cells were collected and used for subsequent flow cytometry or quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The supernatant was collected and used to treat PCa cell lines. The treated PCa cells were analyzed for cell viability, migration, invasion, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling.

RESULTS

Aged mice had enlarged prostate glands and increased morphological alterations, with not only increased inflammatory cell infiltration but also increased Th17 cytokines in prostate tissue, compared to young mice. Naïve CD4⁺ T cells from aged mice differentiated increased interleukin (IL)-17-expressing cells. CD4⁺ T cells from aged mice spleen had increased Th17 cells, Th17 cytokines and Th17/Treg ratio compared to young mice. Factors secreted from aged CD4⁺ T cells, especially from ex vivo differentiated Th17 cells, not only promoted PCa cell viability, migration, and invasion but also activated the NF-κB signaling in PCa cells compared to young mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that age-related CD4⁺ T cells, especially Th17 cells-secreted factors have the potential to contribute to prostate carcinogenesis. Our work could prompt further research using autochthonous PCa mouse models at different ages to elucidate the functional role of Th17 response in prostate carcinogenesis during aging.

Changes of T-cell Immunity Over a Lifetime

T-cell immunity undergoes a complex and continuous remodeling with aging. Understanding those dynamics is essential in refining immunosuppression. Aging is linked to phenotypic and metabolic changes in T-cell immunity, many resulting into impaired function and compromised effectiveness. Those changes may impact clinical immunosuppression with evidences suggesting age-specific efficacies of some (CNI and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors) but not necessarily all immunosuppressants. Metabolic changes of T cells with aging have only recently been appreciated and may provide novel ways of immunosuppression. Here, we provide an update on changes of T-cell immunity in aging.

Enhanced Efficacy of Vaccination With Vaccinia Virus in Old vs. Young Mice

Immunosenescence is believed to be responsible for poor vaccine efficacy in the elderly. To overcome this difficulty, research into vaccination strategies and the mechanisms of immune responses to vaccination is required. By analyzing the innate and adaptive immune responses to vaccination with vaccinia virus (VACV) in mice of different age groups, we found that immune cell recruitment, production of cytokines/chemokines and control of viral replication at the site of intradermal vaccination were preserved in aged mice and were comparable with younger groups. Analysis of cervical draining lymph nodes (dLN) collected after vaccination showed that numbers of germinal center B cells and follicular T helper cells were similar across different age groups. The number of VACV-specific CD8 T cells in the spleen and the levels of serum neutralizing antibodies 1 month after vaccination were also comparable across all age groups. However, following intranasal challenge of vaccinated mice, body weight loss was lower and virus was cleared more rapidly in aged mice than in younger animals. In conclusion, vaccination with VACV can induce an effective immune response and stronger protection in elderly animals. Thus, the development of recombinant VACV-based vaccines against different infectious diseases should be considered as a strategy for improving vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy in the elderly.

The role of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in immunosenescence

A healthy functioning immune system is critical to stave off infectious diseases, but as humans and other organisms age, their immune systems decline. As a result, diseases that were readily thwarted in early life pose nontrivial harm and can even be deadly in late life. Immunosenescence is defined as the general deterioration of the immune system with age, and it is characterized by functional changes in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and specific blood cell types as well as changes in levels of numerous factors, particularly those involved in inflammation. Potential mechanisms underlying immunosenescence include epigenetic changes such as changes in DNA methylation (DNAm) and DNA hydroxymethylation (DNAhm) that occur with age. The purpose of this review is to describe what is currently known about the relationship between immunosenescence and the age-related changes to DNAm and DNAhm, and to discuss experimental approaches best suited to fill gaps in our understanding.

Metabolic reprogramming of human CD8+ memory T cells through loss of SIRT1

The evolutionarily conserved SIRT1–FoxO1 axis plays a new role in human CD8⁺ T cell metabolism and function. Progression from the naive to the terminally differentiated memory state is accompanied by the loss of SIRT1 and FoxO1 expression, which derepresses glycolytic and cytotoxic capacities of CD8⁺CD28^– T cells under resting conditions.

The expansion of CD8⁺CD28^– T cells, a population of terminally differentiated memory T cells, is one of the most consistent immunological changes in humans during aging. CD8⁺CD28^– T cells are highly cytotoxic, and their frequency is linked to many age-related diseases. As they do not accumulate in mice, many of the molecular mechanisms regulating their fate and function remain unclear. In this paper, we find that human CD8⁺CD28^– T cells, under resting conditions, have an enhanced capacity to use glycolysis, a function linked to decreased expression of the NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase SIRT1. Global gene expression profiling identified the transcription factor FoxO1 as a SIRT1 target involved in transcriptional reprogramming of CD8⁺CD28^– T cells. FoxO1 is proteasomally degraded in SIRT1-deficient CD8⁺CD28^– T cells, and inhibiting its activity in resting CD8⁺CD28⁺ T cells enhanced glycolytic capacity and granzyme B production as in CD8⁺CD28^– T cells. These data identify the evolutionarily conserved SIRT1–FoxO1 axis as a regulator of resting CD8⁺ memory T cell metabolism and activity in humans.

Age-related changes in the gene expression profile of antigen-specific mouse CD8+ T cells can be partially reversed by blockade of the BTLA/CD160 pathways during vaccination

We analyzed gene expression profiles of young and aged mouse CD8⁺ T cells specific for the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A/PR8/34 virus. CD8⁺ T cells were stimulated either by the NP antigen expressed in its native form or fused into the herpes virus (HSV)-1 glycoprotein D (gD) protein, which blocks signaling through the immunoinhibitory B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and CD160 pathways. We show that NP-specific CD8⁺ T cells from aged mice exhibit numerous differences in gene expression compared to NP-specific CD8⁺ T cells from young mice, including a significant reduction of expression in genes involved in T cell receptor (TcR) and CD28 signaling. We also show that these changes can be reversed in a sub-population (∼50%) of the aged mice by a BTLA/CD160 checkpoint blockade. These results suggest that BTLA/CD160 checkpoint blockade has potential value as a vaccine additive to induce better CD8⁺ T cell responses in the aged.

Successful and Maladaptive T Cell Aging

Throughout life, the T cell system adapts to shifting resources and demands, resulting in a fundamentally restructured immune system in older individuals. Here we review the cellular and molecular features of an aged immune system and discuss the trade-offs inherent to these adaptive mechanisms. Processes include homeostatic proliferation that maintains compartment size at the expense of partial loss in stemness and incomplete differentiation and the activation of negative regulatory programs, which constrain effector T cell expansion and prevent increasing oligoclonality but also interfere with memory cell generation. We propose that immune failure occurs when adaptive strategies developed by the aging T cell system fail and also discuss how, in some settings, the programs associated with T cell aging culminates in a maladaptive response that directly contributes to chronic inflammatory disease.

Human T cell immunosenescence and inflammation in aging

The aging process is driven by a finite number of inter-related mechanisms that ultimately lead to the emergence of characteristic phenotypes, including increased susceptibility to multiple chronic diseases, disability, and death. New assays and analytical tools have become available that start to unravel some of these mechanisms. A prevailing view is that aging leads to an imbalance between stressors and stress-buffering mechanisms that causes loss of compensatory reserve and accumulation of unrepaired damage. Central to this paradigm are changes in the immune system and the chronic low-grade proinflammatory state that affect many older individuals, even when they are apparently healthy and free of risk factors. Independent of chronological age, high circulating levels of proinflammatory markers are associated with a high risk of multiple adverse health outcomes in older persons. In this review, we discuss current theories about causes and consequences of the proinflammatory state of aging, with a focus on changes in T cell function. We examine the role of NF-κB activation and its dysregulation and how NF-κB activity differs among subgroups of T cells. We explore emerging hypotheses about immunosenescence and changes in T cell behavior with age, including consideration of the T cell antigen receptor and regulatory T cells (T_regs). We conclude by illustrating how research using advanced technology is uncovering clues at the core of inflammation and aging. Some of the preliminary work in this field is already improving our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which immunosenescence of T cells is intertwined during human aging.

Transcriptomic profiles of aging in naïve and memory CD4+ cells from mice

Background

CD4+ T cells can be broadly divided into naïve and memory subsets, each of which are differentially impaired by the aging process. It is unclear if and how these differences are reflected at the transcriptomic level. We performed microarray profiling on RNA derived from naïve (CD44^low) and memory (CD44^high) CD4+ T cells derived from young (2–3 month) and old (28 month) mice, in order to better understand the mechanisms of age-related functional alterations in both subsets. We also performed follow-up bioinformatic analyses in order to determine the functional consequences of gene expression changes in both of these subsets, and identify regulatory factors potentially responsible for these changes.

Results

We found 185 and 328 genes differentially expressed (FDR ≤ 0.05) in young vs. old naïve and memory cells, respectively, with 50 genes differentially expressed in both subsets. Functional annotation analyses highlighted an increase in genes involved in apoptosis specific to aged naïve cells. Both subsets shared age-related increases in inflammatory signaling genes, along with a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation genes. Cis-regulatory analyses revealed enrichment of multiple transcription factor binding sites near genes with age-associated expression, in particular NF-κB and several forkhead box transcription factors. Enhancer associated histone modifications were enriched near genes down-regulated in naïve cells. Comparison of our results with previous mouse and human datasets indicates few overlapping genes overall, but suggest consistent up-regulation of Casp1 and Il1r2, and down-regulation of Foxp1 in both mouse and human CD4+ T cells.

Conclusions

The transcriptomes of naïve and memory CD4+ T cells are distinctly affected by the aging process. However, both subsets exhibit a common increase inflammatory genes and decrease in oxidative phosphorylation genes. NF-κB, forkhead box, and Myc transcription factors are implicated as upstream regulators of these gene expression changes in both subsets, with enhancer histone modifications potentially driving unique changes unique to naïve cells. Finally we conclude that there is little overlap in age-related gene expression changes between humans and mice; however, age-related alterations in a small subset of genes may be conserved.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12979-017-0092-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Age-Dependent Metabolic and Immunosuppressive Effects of Tacrolimus

Immunosuppression in elderly recipients has been underappreciated in clinical trials. Here, we assessed age-specific effects of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (TAC) in a murine transplant model and assessed its clinical relevance on human T cells. Old recipient mice exhibited prolonged skin graft survival compared with young animals after TAC administration. More important, half of the TAC dose was sufficient in old mice to achieve comparable systemic trough levels. TAC administration was able to reduce proinflammatory interferon-γ cytokine production and promote interleukin-10 production in old CD4⁺ T cells. In addition, TAC administration decreased interleukin-2 secretion in old CD4⁺ T cells more effectively while inhibiting the proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells in old mice. Both TAC-treated murine and human CD4⁺ T cells demonstrated an age-specific suppression of intracellular calcineurin levels and Ca²⁺ influx, two critical pathways in T cell activation. Of note, depletion of CD8⁺ T cells did not alter allograft survival outcome in old TAC-treated mice, suggesting that TAC age-specific effects were mainly CD4⁺ T cell mediated. Collectively, our study demonstrates age-specific immunosuppressive capacities of TAC that are CD4⁺ T cell mediated. The suppression of calcineurin levels and Ca²⁺ influx in both old murine and human T cells emphasizes the clinical relevance of age-specific effects when using TAC.

Mechanisms Underlying T Cell Immunosenescence: Aging and Cytomegalovirus Infection

The ability of the human immune system to protect against infectious disease declines with age and efficacy of vaccination reduces significantly in the elderly. Aging of the immune system, also termed as immunosenescence, involves many changes in human T cell immunity that is characterized by a loss in naïve T cell population and an increase in highly differentiated CD28- memory T cell subset. There is extensive data showing that latent persistent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is also associated with age-related immune dysfunction in the T cells, which might enhance immunosenescence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related and HCMV-related immunosenescence is critical for the development of effective age-targeted vaccines and immunotherapies. In this review, we will address the role of both aging and HCMV infection that contribute to the T cell senescence and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms in aged T cells.

Convergence of Innate and Adaptive Immunity during Human Aging

Aging is associated with profound changes in the human immune system, a phenomenon referred to as immunosenescence. This complex immune remodeling affects the adaptive immune system and the CD8⁺ T cell compartment in particular, leading to the accumulation of terminally differentiated T cells, which can rapidly exert their effector functions at the expenses of a limited proliferative potential. In this review, we will discuss evidence suggesting that senescent αβCD8⁺ T cells acquire the hallmarks of innate-like T cells and use recently acquired NK cell receptors as an alternative mechanism to mediate rapid effector functions. These cells concomitantly lose expression of co-stimulatory receptors and exhibit decreased T cell receptor signaling, suggesting a functional shift away from antigen-specific activation. The convergence of innate and adaptive features in senescent T cells challenges the classic division between innate and adaptive immune systems. Innate-like T cells are particularly important for stress and tumor surveillance, and we propose a new role for these cells in aging, where the acquisition of innate-like functions may represent a beneficial adaptation to an increased burden of malignancy with age, although it may also pose a higher risk of autoimmune disorders.

Aging promotes acquisition of naive-like CD8+ memory T cell traits and enhanced functionalities

Protective T cell memory is an acquired trait that is contingent upon the preservation of its constituents and therefore vulnerable to the potentially deleterious effects of organismal aging. Here, however, we have found that long-term T cell memory in a natural murine host-pathogen system can substantially improve over time. Comprehensive molecular, phenotypic, and functional profiling of aging antiviral CD8+ memory T cells (CD8+ TM) revealed a pervasive remodeling process that promotes the gradual acquisition of distinct molecular signatures, of increasingly homogeneous phenotypes, and of diversified functionalities that combine to confer a CD8+ TM-autonomous capacity for enhanced recall responses and immune protection. Notably, the process of CD8+ TM aging is characterized by a progressive harmonization of memory and naive T cell traits, is broadly amenable to experimental acceleration or retardation, and serves as a constitutional component for the "rebound model" of memory T cell maturation. By casting CD8+ TM populations within the temporal framework of their slowly evolving properties, this model establishes a simple ontogenetic perspective on the principal organization of CD8+ T cell memory that may directly inform the development of improved diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic modalities.

T Cells Going Innate

Natural killer (NK) cell receptors (NKRs) play a crucial role in the homeostasis of antigen-experienced T cells. Indeed, prolonged antigen stimulation may induce changes in the receptor repertoire of T cells to a profile that features NKRs. Chronic antigen exposure, at the same time, has been shown to trigger the loss of costimulatory CD28 molecules with recently reported intensified antigen thresholds of antigen-experienced CD8(+) T cells. In transplantation, NKRs have been shown to assist allograft rejection in a CD28-independent fashion. We discuss here a role for CD28-negative T cells that have acquired the competency of the NKR machinery, potentially promoting allorecognition either through T cell receptor (TCR) crossreactivity or independently from TCR recognition. Collectively, NKRs can bring about innate-like T cells by providing alternative costimulatory pathways that gain relevance in chronic inflammation, potentially leading to resistance to CD28-targeting immunosuppressants.

Defective CD8 Signaling Pathways Delay Rejection in Older Recipients

CD8+ T cells play a cardinal feature in response to alloantigens and are able to generate effector/memory T cells independently from CD4+ T cells. To investigate the impact of aging on CD8 T cells, we used a fully mismatched mouse skin transplant model. Our findings showed a prolonged allograft survival in older recipients associated with a significant increase of CD4+ and CD8+ CD44high CD62Llow effector/memory T cells and a reduced systemic IFNγ production. When reconstituting young CBA Rag-1 mice that lack mature T and B cells with old CD8+ T cells expressing clonal anti-H2K T cell receptor (TCR) alloreactive for MHC I, graft survival was significantly prolonged and comparable to those receiving young CD8+ T cells. Moreover, our data showed that reduced systemic IFNγ levels observed in old recipients had been linked to a compromised expression of the IL-2R β subunit (CD122) by old CD8+ T cells. In addition, we observed an impaired IFNγ production on IL-2 receptor activation. At the same time, gene profiling analysis of old CD8 T cells demonstrated reduced chemokine ligand-3 and CD40L expression that resulted in compromised CD8+ T cell/dendritic cell communication, leading to impaired migratory and phagocytic activity of CD11c cells.Collectively, our study demonstrated that aging delays allograft rejection. CD8 T cells play a critical role in this process linked to a compromised production of IFNγ, in addition to a defective IL-2 receptor signaling machinery and a defective communication between CD8 T cells and dendritic cells.

Immunosenescence in renal transplantation: a changing balance of innate and adaptive immunity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With global demographic changes and an overall improved healthcare, more older end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receive kidney transplants. At the same time, organs from older donors are utilized more frequently. Those developments have and will continue to impact allocation, immunosuppression and efforts improving organ quality.

RECENT FINDINGS

Findings mainly outside the field of transplantation have provided insights into mechanisms that drive immunosenescence and immunogenicity, thus providing a rationale for an age-adapted immunosuppression and relevant clinical trials in the elderly. With fewer rejections in the elderly, alloimmune responses appear to be characterized by a decline in effectiveness and an augmented unspecific immune response.

SUMMARY

Immunosenescence displays broad and ambivalent effects in elderly transplant recipients. Those changes appear to compensate a decline in allospecific effectiveness by a shift towards an augmented unspecific immune response. Immunosuppression needs to target those age-specific changes to optimize outcomes in elderly transplant recipients.

Naive T cell maintenance and function in human aging

In studies of immune aging, naive T cells frequently take center stage. Describing the complexity of the human naive T cell repertoire remains a daunting task; however, emerging data suggest that homeostatic mechanisms are robust enough to maintain a large and diverse CD4 T cell repertoire with age. Compartment shrinkage and clonal expansions are challenges for naive CD8 T cells. In addition to population aspects, identification of potentially targetable cellular defects is receiving renewed interest. The last decade has seen remarkable progress in identifying genetic and biochemical pathways that are pertinent for aging in general and that are instructive to understand naive T cell dysfunction. One hallmark sets naive T cell aging apart from most other tissues except stem cells: they initiate but do not complete differentiation programs toward memory cells. Maintaining quiescence and avoiding differentiation may be the ultimate challenge to maintain the functions unique for naive T cells.

DUSP4-mediated accelerated T-cell senescence in idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia

Idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia (ICL) is a rare heterogeneous immunological syndrome of unclear etiology. ICL predisposes patients to severe opportunistic infections and frequently leads to poor vaccination effectiveness. Chronic immune activation, expansion of memory T cells, and impaired T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling have been reported in ICL, but the mechanistic and causative links remain unclear. We show that late-differentiated T cells in 20 patients with ICL displayed defective TCR responses and aging markers similar to those found in T cells from elderly subjects. Intrinsic T-cell defects were caused by increased expression of dual-specific phosphatase 4 (DUSP4). Normalization of DUSP4 expression using a specific siRNA improved CD4(+) T-cell activity in ICL, as this restored TCR-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and increased the expression of the costimulatory molecules CD27 and CD40L. Conversely, repeated TCR stimulation led to defective signaling and DUSP4 overexpression in control CD4(+) T cells. This was associated with gradual acquisition of a memory phenotype and was curtailed by DUSP4 silencing. These findings identify a premature T-cell senescence in ICL that might be caused by chronic T-cell activation and a consequential DUSP4-dependent dampening of TCR signaling.

T-cell ageing in end-stage renal disease patients: Assessment and clinical relevance

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have a defective T-cell-mediated immune system which is related to excessive premature ageing of the T-cell compartment. This is likely to be caused by the uremia-associated pro-inflammatory milieu, created by loss of renal function. Therefore, ESRD patients are highly susceptible for infections, have an increased risk for virus-associated cancers, respond poorly to vaccination and have an increased risk for atherosclerotic diseases. Three ageing parameters can be used to assess an immunological T-cell age. First, thymic output can be determined by assessing the T-cell receptor excision circles-content together with CD31 expression within the naïve T cells. Second, the telomere length of T cells and third the T-cell differentiation status are also indicators of T-cell ageing. Analyses based on these parameters in ESRD patients revealed that the immunological T-cell age is increased by on average 20 years compared to the chronological age. After kidney transplantation (KTx) the aged T-cell phenotype persists although the pro-inflammatory milieu is diminished. This might be explained by epigenetic modifications at hematopoietic stem cells level. Assessment of an immunological T-cell age could be an important tool to identify KTx recipients who are at risk for allograft rejection or to prevent over-immunosuppression.

T-cell aging in rheumatoid arthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With progressive age, the immune system and the propensity for abnormal immunity change fundamentally. Individuals greater than 50 years of age are not only more susceptible to infection and cancer, but also at higher risk for chronic inflammation and immune-mediated tissue damage. The process of immunosenescence is accelerated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

RECENT FINDINGS

Premature T-cell senescence occurs not only in RA, but also has been involved in morbidity and mortality of chronic HIV infection. Senescent cells acquire the 'senescence-associated secretory phenotype', which promotes and sustains tissue inflammation. Molecular mechanisms underlying T-cell aging are beginning to be understood. In addition to the contraction of T-cell diversity because of uneven clonal expansion, senescent T cells have defects in balancing cytoplasmic kinase and phosphatase activities, changing their activation thresholds. Also, leakiness in repairing DNA lesions and uncapped telomeres imposes genomic stress. Age-induced changes in the tissue microenvironment may alter the T-cell responses.

SUMMARY

Gain-of-function and loss-of-function in senescent T cells undermine protective immunity and create the conditions for chronic tissue inflammation, a combination typically encountered in RA. Genetic programs involved in T-cell signaling and DNA repair are of high interest in the search for underlying molecular defects.

Ageing combines CD4 T cell lymphopenia in secondary lymphoid organs and T cell accumulation in gut associated lymphoid tissue

Background

CD4 T cell lymphopenia is an important T cell defect associated to ageing. Higher susceptibility to infections, cancer, or autoimmune pathologies described in aged individuals is thought to partly rely on T cell lymphopenia. We hypothesize that such diverse effects may reflect anatomical heterogeneity of age related T cell lymphopenia. Indeed, no data are currently available on the impact of ageing on T cell pool recovered from gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), a crucial site of CD4 T cell accumulation.

Results

Primary, secondary and tertiary lymphoid organs of C57BL/6 animals were analysed at three intervals of ages: 2 to 6 months (young), 10 to 14 months (middle-aged) and 22 to 26 months (old). We confirmed that ageing preferentially impacted CD4 T cell compartment in secondary lymphoid organs. Importantly, a different picture emerged from gut associated mucosal sites: during ageing, CD4 T cell accumulation was progressively developing in colon and small intestine lamina propria and Peyer’s patches. Similar trend was also observed in middle-aged SJL/B6 F1 mice. Interestingly, an inverse correlation was detected between CD4 T cell numbers in secondary lymphoid organs and colonic lamina propria of C57BL/6 mice whereas no increase in proliferation rate of GALT CD4 T cells was detected. In contrast to GALT, no CD4 T cell accumulation was detected in lungs and liver in middle-aged animals. Finally, the concomitant accumulation of CD4 T cell in GALT and depletion in secondary lymphoid organs during ageing was detected both in male and female animals.

Conclusions

Our data thus demonstrate that T cell lymphopenia in secondary lymphoid organs currently associated to ageing is not sustained in gut or lung mucosa associated lymphoid tissues or non-lymphoid sites such as the liver. The inverse correlation between CD4 T cell numbers in secondary lymphoid organs and colonic lamina propria and the absence of overt proliferation in GALT suggest that marked CD4 T cell decay in secondary lymphoid organs during ageing reflect redistribution of CD4 T cells rather than generalized CD4 T cell decay. Such anatomical heterogeneity may provide an important rationale for the diversity of immune defects observed during ageing.

CD4(+) T Cell-Receptor Repertoire Diversity is Compromised in the Spleen but Not in the Bone Marrow of Aged Mice Due to Private and Sporadic Clonal Expansions

Reduction in T cell receptor (TCR) diversity in old age is considered as a major cause for immune complications in the elderly population. Here, we explored the consequences of aging on the TCR repertoire in mice using high-throughput sequencing (TCR-seq). We mapped the TCRβ repertoire of CD4+ T cells isolated from bone marrow (BM) and spleen of young and old mice. We found that TCRβ diversity is reduced in spleens of aged mice but not in their BM. Splenic CD4+ T cells were also skewed toward an effector memory phenotype in old mice, while BM cells preserved their memory phenotype with age. Analysis of Vβ and Jβ gene usage across samples, as well as comparison of CDR3 length distributions, showed no significant age dependent changes. However, comparison of the frequencies of amino-acid (AA) TCRβ sequences between samples revealed repertoire changes that occurred at a more refined scale. The BM-derived TCRβ repertoire was found to be similar among individual mice regardless of their age. In contrast, the splenic repertoire of old mice was not similar to those of young mice, but showed an increased similarity with the BM repertoire. Each old-mouse had a private set of expanded TCRβ sequences. Interestingly, a fraction of these sequences was found also in the BM of the same individual, sharing the same nucleotide sequence. Together, these findings show that the composition and phenotype of the CD4+ T cell BM repertoire are relatively stable with age, while diversity of the splenic repertoire is severely reduced. This reduction is caused by idiosyncratic expansions of tens to hundreds of T cell clonotypes, which dominate the repertoire of each individual. We suggest that these private and abundant clonotypes are generated by sporadic clonal expansions, some of which correspond to pre-existing BM clonotypes. These organ- and age-specific changes of the TCRβ repertoire have implications for understanding and manipulating age-associated immune decline.