title: Aging does not affect the ability of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells to phagocytose Candida albicans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in induction of both innate and adaptive immunity. Immunosenescence refers to age-associated changes in the immune system, which may be associated with susceptibility to infections and their clinical complications. The precise effects of aging on DCs in immunity to infections are not well understood. Among the common pathogenic microorganisms, the fungus Candida albicans is an important pathogen for the development of invasive infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals, as well as during aging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To make a comparative in vitro evaluation of the immunomodulatory function of DCs challenged with C. albicans, by phagocytosis of the fungal cells, and determine the involvement of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors. For this purpose, DCs were generated with the use of peripheral blood monocytes from healthy young and aged subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The phagocytosis of C. albicans is developed by DCs in TLR2- and TLR4-dependent way. This mechanism is not affected by aging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the important role of the DCs in responses against the fungus, it is evident that if changes in phagocytosis occurred with aging, impairment in the elderly could develop. However, the evidence that phagocytosis of this fungus by DCs is not impaired with aging, brings us to the question of which are the mechanisms truly associated with the prevalence of certain diseases in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Al. Dr. Octávio Pinheiro Brisola, 9-75, Vila Universitária, Bauru, SP, 17012-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Magda Paula Pereira
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: do Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Al. Dr. Octávio Pinheiro Brisola, 9-75, Vila Universitária, Bauru, SP, 17012-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karen Henriette
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Pinke
authors.affiliation: Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Amaral Carvalho Foundation, R. Dona Silvéria, 150, Centro, Jau, SP, 17210-080, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcimara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Penitenti
authors.affiliation: Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Amaral Carvalho Foundation, R. Dona Silvéria, 150, Centro, Jau, SP, 17210-080, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maura Rosane Valério
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ikoma
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Al. Dr. Octávio Pinheiro Brisola, 9-75, Vila Universitária, Bauru, SP, 17012-901, Brazil. vanessa@fob.usp.br.
authors.forename: Vanessa Soares
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Lara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000276:immunology; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4
keywords: C. albicans; Dendritic cell; Immunosenescence; Phagocytosis and Toll like-receptors