title: Memory B cells from older people express normal levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and produce higher levels of IL-6 and IL-10 upon in vitro activation.
abstract: Worldwide the elderly population is increasing. The elderly show deficiencies in immune function. B lymphocytes are essential elements of the immune system responsible for antibody production. This laboratory previously showed that activated human B cells isolated from young adults express cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and that Cox-2 is essential for optimal antibody responses. Recent data suggests that Cox-2 expression decreases with age in mouse bone tissue. There is no information regarding Cox-2 expression in B cells from older human subjects. We investigated the expression and activity of Cox-2 in naïve and memory B cells from older people. We show that B cells from older subjects show similar Cox-2 protein expression and activity, antibody production and proliferation compared to younger people. However, we found that activated memory B cells from older people produce higher levels of IL-6 and IL-10 compared to young adults. Therefore, the dysregulated cytokine production could contribute to immune senescence in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bancos
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Phipps
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000378:metabolism; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015850:Interleukin-6; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; C527702:CpG ODN 2395; C508609:IL10 protein, human; C508600:IL6 protein, human; C048844:anti-IgG; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human