title: Age-related increase of VGF-expression in T lymphocytes.
abstract: VGF is a protein expressed by neurons and processed into several peptides. It plays a role in energy homeostasis and promotes growth and survival. Recently, VGF mRNA was detected in peripheral leukocytes. Since it is known that aging is associated with a decrease in the development and function of neuronal as well as immune cells, we addressed the question whether a peripheral expression of VGF by CD3+ T cells and CD56+ NK cells is correlated with age. Therefore, the frequency of VGF+CD3+ and VGF+CD56+ cells was determined in mentally healthy volunteers aged between 22 and 88. We found an age-dependent increase in the number of VGF+CD3+ T cells that correlated with HbA1c and the body mass index (BMI). VGF-expression by NK cells was age-independent. Blockade of VGF reduced proliferation and secretion of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF by CD3+ T cells and PBMCs. Rapamycin-mediated T cell blockade significantly reduced the frequency of VGF-expressing T cells. We conclude that VGF contributes to survival and function of peripheral T cells. The age-dependent increase in VGF-expression could serve as mechanism that counterregulates the decrease in functionality of T lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Busse
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Justus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Micheel
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dobrowolny
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mawrin
authors.forename: Tim J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adamaszek
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bogerts
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bommhardt
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartig
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Busse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; C510637:VGF protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A