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Relationship between functional ability in older people, immune system status, and intensity of response to CMV

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Abstract

Shorter survival in the elderly has been associated with deterioration of the immune system and also with functional disability. To analyze the relationship between functional and immune impairment in older individuals, we studied 100 elderly who lived in a nursing home, were age matched, and grouped according to their functional status. We characterized cell subpopulations by flow cytometry, quantified TREC by RT–PCR, and measured the T-cell proliferation and activation response (IFN-γ by ELISPOT, CD69) against anti-CD3 and CMV. Specific antibody titers against influenza virus and CMV were determined by ELISA. Individuals with worse functional status had significantly higher levels of NK cells and fewer B cells. These poorly functioning elders also had a significantly lower proportion of CD4+ T cells, increased CD8+ T cells, and a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio. TREC levels in CD4+ T cells were significantly lower in individuals with a high disability. Lower TREC levels correlated with a lower frequency of naïve T-cell subpopulations (CD45RA+CCR7+) and higher percentages of effector cells (CD45RA−CCR7−). The functionally impaired group had lower anti-CD3 responses, but gradually increased responses against CMV. Similarly, the higher CMV titers were found in elderly with worse functional status. On the contrary, the functional response in vivo, and the titer of antibodies generated after vaccination against influenza virus, was higher in individuals with better performance status. In summary, we concluded that the functional decline of elderly individuals was clearly associated with the aging of their immune system, and the intensity of the response to CMV.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Isabel Cuevas Pérez, José María Díaz Pérez, and Ramona Julia Fernández García for their excellent technical assistance. This work was supported by Red de Investigación Renal (REDinREN), Spanish grant FIS PI080566 from Instituto “Carlos III” (European FEDER founds) and PEST 08-05 from FICYT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, 33006, Oviedo, Spain

    Marco Antonio Moro-García, Rebeca Alonso-Arias, Antonio López-Vázquez & Carlos López-Larrea

  2. Consejería de Salud y Servicios Sanitarios del Principado de Asturias, 33006, Oviedo, Spain

    Francisco Manuel Suárez-García

  3. Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Department, Hospital Monte Naranco, 33012, Oviedo, Spain

    Juan José Solano-Jaurrieta

  4. Health Outcomes Research Unit, Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, 33006, Oviedo, Spain

    José Baltar

  5. Fundación Renal “Iñigo Alvarez de Toledo”, Madrid, Spain

    Carlos López-Larrea

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  1. Marco Antonio Moro-García
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Correspondence to Carlos López-Larrea.

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Moro-García, M.A., Alonso-Arias, R., López-Vázquez, A. et al. Relationship between functional ability in older people, immune system status, and intensity of response to CMV. AGE 34, 479–495 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-011-9240-6

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