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Induction of CD56 and TCR-independent activation of T cells with aging.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lemster, BH; Michel, JJ; Montag, DT; Paat, JJ; Studenski, SA; Newman, AB; Vallejo, AN
Published in: J Immunol
February 1, 2008

Degeneration of the thymus and severe contraction of the T cell repertoire with aging suggest that immune homeostasis in old age could be mediated by distinct effectors. Therefore, receptors expressed on T cells as they undergo senescence in vitro, as well as those displayed by circulating T cells during normal chronologic aging, were examined. Monitoring of T cells driven to senescence showed de novo induction of CD56, the prototypic receptor of NK cells. Analysis of fresh T cells in peripheral blood showed an age-dependent induction of CD56. These unusual T cells expressed high levels of Bcl2, p16, and p53, and had limited, or completely lost, ability to undergo cell division, properties consistent with senescence. CD56 cross-linking without TCR ligation on CD56(+) T cells resulted in extensive protein phosphorylation, NF-kappaB activation, and Bax down-regulation. CD56 cross-linking was also sufficient to drive production of various humoral factors. These data suggest that the immunologic environment in old age is functionally distinct, rather than being a dysfunctional version of that seen at a young age. CD56(+) T cells are unique effectors capable of mediating TCR-independent immune cascades that could be harnessed to enhance protective immunity in the elderly.

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Published In

J Immunol

DOI

ISSN

0022-1767

Publication Date

February 1, 2008

Volume

180

Issue

3

Start / End Page

1979 / 1990

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Immunology
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Lemster, B. H., Michel, J. J., Montag, D. T., Paat, J. J., Studenski, S. A., Newman, A. B., & Vallejo, A. N. (2008). Induction of CD56 and TCR-independent activation of T cells with aging. J Immunol, 180(3), 1979–1990. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.180.3.1979
Lemster, Bonnie H., Joshua J. Michel, David T. Montag, John J. Paat, Stephanie A. Studenski, Anne B. Newman, and Abbe N. Vallejo. “Induction of CD56 and TCR-independent activation of T cells with aging.J Immunol 180, no. 3 (February 1, 2008): 1979–90. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.180.3.1979.
Lemster BH, Michel JJ, Montag DT, Paat JJ, Studenski SA, Newman AB, et al. Induction of CD56 and TCR-independent activation of T cells with aging. J Immunol. 2008 Feb 1;180(3):1979–90.
Lemster, Bonnie H., et al. “Induction of CD56 and TCR-independent activation of T cells with aging.J Immunol, vol. 180, no. 3, Feb. 2008, pp. 1979–90. Pubmed, doi:10.4049/jimmunol.180.3.1979.
Lemster BH, Michel JJ, Montag DT, Paat JJ, Studenski SA, Newman AB, Vallejo AN. Induction of CD56 and TCR-independent activation of T cells with aging. J Immunol. 2008 Feb 1;180(3):1979–1990.

Published In

J Immunol

DOI

ISSN

0022-1767

Publication Date

February 1, 2008

Volume

180

Issue

3

Start / End Page

1979 / 1990

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Immunology
  • Humans