Lymphopenia-Driven Homeostatic Regulation of Naive T Cells in Elderly and Thymectomized Young Adults

Reduced thymopoiesis and continuous mobilization of naive T cells into the effector–memory pool can lead to severe alterations of the naive T cell compartment. However, maintenance of the naive T cell population is essential to mount effective immune responses. Evidence of homeostatic regulation of...

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Published inThe Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 189; no. 12; pp. 5541 - 5548
Main Authors Sauce, Delphine, Larsen, Martin, Fastenackels, Solène, Roux, Antoine, Gorochov, Guy, Katlama, Christine, Sidi, Daniel, Sibony-Prat, Joyce, Appay, Victor
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Publisher : Baltimore : Williams & Wilkins, c1950-. Latest Publisher : Bethesda, MD : American Association of Immunologists 15.12.2012
Subjects
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cell Differentiation - immunology
Female
Homeostasis - immunology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Immunologic Memory - immunology
Immunology
Life Sciences
Lymphopenia - pathology
Male
Middle Aged
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - cytology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - pathology
Thymectomy
Young Adult
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Summary:Reduced thymopoiesis and continuous mobilization of naive T cells into the effector–memory pool can lead to severe alterations of the naive T cell compartment. However, maintenance of the naive T cell population is essential to mount effective immune responses. Evidence of homeostatic regulation of naive T cells is currently debated in animal models. In humans, the situation remains unresolved, in particular with advanced age. In this study, we analyzed the CD4+ and CD8+ naive T cell compartments from elderly, young adults thymectomized during early childhood, and HIV-1–infected patients, which are characterized by T lymphocytopenia. We show a direct association between increased turnover and decreased frequency of naive T cells. Moreover, the IL-7–induced pathway was fully functional in naive T cells from elderly and young adults thymectomized during early childhood, who are characterized by elevated IL-7 plasma levels. Our findings support the establishment of homeostatic regulation of naive T cell proliferation in humans. This regulation is particularly active in lymphopenic hosts, such as elderly and thymectomized patients.
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ISSN:0022-1767
1550-6606
1550-6606
DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.1201235