Homeostasis and the age-associated defect of CD4 T cells.
Survival and homeostatic division of naive CD4 T cells is regulated by the cellular and non-cellular milieu and together these processes ensure that a population of naive CD4 T cells persists into old age. However, the naive CD4 T cells from aged animals show reduced IL-2 production, proliferation, helper function and effector generation and memory function. We explore here whether the age-related defects in naive CD4 T cells are due to the aged environment from which they come or to intrinsic defects that are caused by homeostasis and their long lifespan.
Swain
Susan
S
Trudeau Institute, 154 Algonquin Ave., Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA. sswain@northnet.org
Clise-Dwyer
Karen
K
Haynes
Laura
L
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000276:immunology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans