Aging Diminishes Thymic Output, Reduces Naive T Cells, Promotes Memory T-Cell Accumulation, and Impairs Thymic Regeneration.

Daria M Konovalova, Madison D Cooper, Shuli Huang, Danielle X Shane, Jordyn S Mulhern, Ying Ann Chiao, Sarah Y Yuan, Yonggang Ma

Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Aging increases susceptibility to a wide range of diseases, partially due to alterations in T lymphocytes. This study aimed to characterize age-related changes in T-cell output, phenotype, and function under basal conditions and after myocardial infarction (MI). Compared with young mice (2-6 months), aged mice (≥18 months) demonstrated reduced thymic size and fewer developing thymocytes. Accordingly, circulating T-cell counts were significantly lower in aged mice than in young mice. Interestingly, the spleen and bone marrow of aged mice showed increased T-cell accumulation, primarily due to expansion of memory T cells. Similarly, older humans (≥60 years old) exhibited reduced circulating T cells and a higher proportion of memory T cells. Under basal conditions, aged splenic T cells expressed higher mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic factors (e.g.

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Research summary

Aging diminishes thymic output and alters T-cell populations, which may contribute to age-related immune dysfunction. The study addresses fundamental changes in the immune system due to aging, which is directly related to understanding the biological mechanisms of aging and potential interventions.

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