title: A novel B cell population revealed by a CD38/CD24 gating strategy: CD38(-)CD24 (-) B cells in centenarian offspring and elderly people.
abstract: The B cell arm of adaptive immunity undergoes significant modifications with age. Elderly people are characterized by impaired B cell responses reflected in a reduced ability to effectively respond against viruses and bacteria. Alterations of immunity with advancing age (immunosenescence) have been widely studied in centenarians who are considered a good example of successful aging. In recent years, attention has shifted to centenarian offspring (CO) as a model of people genetically advantaged for healthy aging and longevity. Here, we describe the preliminary characterization of a proposed new population of memory B cells, defined as CD19(+)CD38(-)CD24(-), which we find at higher frequencies in the elderly but less so in CO than healthy age-matched random controls. In addition, we found a decreased expression of RP105 (CD180), a toll-like receptor-associated molecule, on these cells. CD180 downregulation may potentially be a marker of immunosenescence. Moreover, we show that these CD19(+)CD38(-)CD24(-) B cells produce TNF and hypothesize that their observed expansion in the elderly might contribute to the increased inflammatory status sometimes designated "inflamm-aging."
authors.affiliation: Immunosenescence Unit, Department of Pathobiology and Medical and Forensic Biotechnologies (DIBIMEF), University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, Palermo, 90134, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buffa
authors.forename: Mariavaleria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellicanò
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulati
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martorana
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldeck
authors.forename: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pawelec
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colonna-Romano
mesh_terms: D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051927:CD24 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008136:Longevity / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D051927:CD24 Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1