Features of Immunosenescence in Women Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

Adults exposed to childhood maltreatment have increased stress reactivity. This profile is associated with dysregulation of the immune system, including enhanced inflammatory reactions and accelerated senescence. Subjects exposed to ear stress have increased risk for several age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and cancer. Although previous studies have reported immune changes in advanced cancer, very little information is available regarding early stage breast cancer. Here, 29 patients with breast cancer were recruited: 15 with history of childhood maltreatment (CM+) and 14 without history (CM−). Twenty-seven healthy women without CM were selected as the control group. Peripheral blood was collected and lymphocyte subsets phenotyped by multi-color flow cytometry (B cells, CD4+ T, CD8+ T, natural killer cells, activated T cells, regulatory T cells, and senescence-associated T cells). Because human cytomegalovirus (CMV) was associated with signatures of early senescence, the CMV serology was determined by ELISA. None of the subjects had IgM reactivity to CMV, excluding acute viral infection. There was a higher proportion of patients with increased CMV IgG levels in the CM+ group as compared to CM− or controls. Different stages of T-cell differentiation can be determined based on the cell-surface expression of the costimulatory molecules CD27 and CD28: ear (CD27+CD28+), intermediate-differentiated (CD27−CD28+), and late-differentiated or senescent T cells (CD27−CD28−). After adjusting for age and education, ear T cells (CD27+CD28+) were found reduced in CM+ and CM− patients (p < 0.0001). In contrast, intermediate-differentiated T cells (CD27−CD28+; p < 0.0001), senescent T cells (CD27−CD28−; p < 0.0001), and exhausted T cells (CD8+CD27−CD28−PD1+; p < 0.0001) were found expanded in both CM+ and CM− groups. Our data suggest that features of immunosenescence are associated with newly diagnosed breast cancer, regardless of the CM history.

The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio is associated with gender-related changes in oxidative stress during aging

Aging has been associated with increased generation of free radicals as well as immunosenescence. Previous studies have identified older individuals with inverted T CD4:CD8 cell ratio and increased immunity to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Here, we investigated markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defences in older individuals with inverted CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio. Sixty-one subjects were identified with inverted CD4:CD8 ratio. Older individuals with a CD4:CD8 ratio <1 had increased levels of plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), but reduced levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as compared to subjects with normal CD4:CD8 ratio. The CMV IgG serology was negatively correlated with CD4:CD8 ratio. These markers were more evident among elderly men than women. Our data suggest a close relationship between chronic CMV infection and oxidative profile in older individuals in the midst of its influence on the peripheral T-cell subsets.

The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio is associated with cytomegalovirus, poor cognitive and functional states in older adults

BACKGROUND

Some premature features of immunosenescence have been associated with persistent viral infections and altered populations of T cells. In particular, the inverted T CD4:CD8 ratio has been correlated with increased morbidity and mortality across different age groups.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we investigated the role of persistent viral infections, cognitive and functional states as predictors of inverted CD4:CD8 ratio of older adults in a developing country.

METHODS

Three hundred and sixty community-dwelling older adults (aged 60-103 years) were recruited. Cognitive function was evaluated by the Instrument of Brief Neuropsychological Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination inventory. Functional Activities Questionnaire was used to determine activities of daily living. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serologies were determined by ELISAs. Peripheral blood was assessed for lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry (CD4+, CD8+, NK, NKT, B and CD8+CD28-).

RESULTS

Fifty-nine individuals were identified with CD4:CD8 ratio <1, and had increased IgG titers to CMV (p < 0.01), but not to EBV, compared to subjects with CD4:CD8 ratio >1. The older adults with inverted CD4:CD8 ratio had impairments in some cognitive dimensions and had more functional disability and dependency (p = 0.01) than subjects with CD4:CD8 ratio >1. The lymphocyte subsets did not vary between groups. The increased CMV-IgG titers alone contributed to 8× higher chance to invert CD4:CD8 T cell ratio (OR 8.12, 95% CI 1.74-37.88, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our data further indicate the role of CMV on circulating T cells, poor cognition and functional disability/dependency during aging.

Immunosenescence is associated with human cytomegalovirus and shortened telomeres in type I bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

Bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with persistent low-grade inflammation and premature cell senescence, as shown by reduced telomere length (TL). The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has increasingly been implicated in accelerated immunosenescence in aging studies. Here, we compared CMV serology and its relationships with cell senescence markers, including TL and lymphocyte subsets, in patients with type I BD and healthy controls.

METHODS

Twenty-two euthymic female patients with BD type I and 17 age-matched healthy controls were selected for the study. A sample of blood was collected and mononuclear cells and DNA were isolated and TL measured. CMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG titers were measured using chemiluminescent assays. Lymphocyte subsets [T, natural killer (NK) and NKT] were phenotyped by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Individuals with BD had shorter TLs but higher CMV IgG levels than controls (both p < 0.01). CMV IgG level was inversely correlated with TL. None of the subjects showed IgM reactivity for CMV, excluding acute viral infection. CMV IgG level was associated with expansion of senescent CD8+CD28- T cells and NK cells, which are involved in viral control.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the hypothesis of accelerated aging in BD, as shown by shortened telomeres, higher seropositivity for CMV, and expansion of senescent T cells.

Babesiosis (Babesia bovis) stability in unstable environments

Enzootic stability (herd immunity) in bovine babesiosis occurs when the rate of transmission (inoculation rate) of Babesia spp by the tick vector is sufficient to immunize a majority of susceptible calves before the loss of calfhood resistance. The effect of three tick (Boophilus microplus) control strategies (none, threshold, and strategic) on enzootic stability and the likelihood of babesiosis (Babesia bovis) outbreaks was studied using a spreadsheet age-class computer simulation model. The model was driven by weekly bovine tick counts from Brazil and Uruguay. The Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil bovine population (30 degrees 05' South latitude) was found to be in a naturally occurring state of enzootic stability, corresponding to an inoculation rate exceeding 0.005 throughout the year. Threshold dipping strategies should not increase the risk of babesiosis in cattle so managed. Strategic dipping resulted in an extended period of enzootic instability lasting 30 weeks, which requires protection of the herd through immunization. Because of the more prolonged low winter temperature conditions, the Tacuarembó, Uruguay bovine population (31 degrees 40' South latitude) was found to be in a naturally occurring state of enzootic instability, characterized by a 28 week period in which the inoculation rate was below 0.005. Strategic dipping should lead to eradication of the babesial parasite from tick and bovine populations, but would not result in eradication of the tick vector. This could lead to subsequent outbreaks if Babesia carrier animals were to be introduced into the herd. In both populations, strategic tick control could be accompanied by concurrent babesiosis vaccination.