T-lymphocytes expressing CC chemokine receptor-5 are increased in frail older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequencies of T-lymphocytes expressing CC chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5(+) T-cells) and their relationship with frailty in older adults.


METHODS
Case-control study with an age-, race-, and sex-matched design.


METHODS
General Clinical Research Center.


METHODS
Community-dwelling adults aged 72 and older from Baltimore, Maryland.


METHODS
Frailty was determined using five validated criteria: weakness, slow walking speed, fatigue, low physical activity, and weight loss. Those meeting three or more of these five criteria were defined as frail and those with none as nonfrail. Complete blood counts were performed to obtain peripheral lymphocyte counts using an automated (Coulter) counter. Peripheral blood was collected for surface immunofluorescent staining of CCR5 and other T-cell markers.


RESULTS
Twenty-six frail and matched nonfrail participants (mean age+/-standard deviation 83.8+/-5.3, range 72-94) completed the study. Frail participants had higher CCR5(+), CCR5(+)CD8(+), and CCR5(+)CD45RO(-) T-cell counts than matched nonfrail controls (349+/-160/mm(3) vs 194+/-168/mm(3), P=.02; 208+/-98/mm(3) vs 105+/-62/mm(3), P=.02; and 189+/-149/mm(3) vs 52+/-36/mm(3), P=.01; respectively). Furthermore, there was a trend toward graded increase in these T-cell counts across the frailty scores in frail participants (e.g., CCR5(+)CD8(+) counts of 123+/-52/mm(3), 248+/-115/mm(3), and 360+/-215/mm(3) for those with frailty scores of 3, 4, and 5, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These initial results suggest an expansion of the CCR5(+) T-cell subpopulation in frailty. They provide a basis for further characterization of CCR5(+) T-cells and their role in frailty, with potential therapeutic implications.
De Fanis
Umberto
U
Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
Wang
George C
GC
Fedarko
Neal S
NS
Walston
Jeremy D
JD
Casolaro
Vincenzo
V
Leng
Sean X
SX
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015142:Baltimore; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000276:immunology; D011930:Reaction Time; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000097:blood*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D015431:Weight Loss
D019713:Receptors, CCR5