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Orbán-Bakk K, Witek M, Dubiec A, Heinze J, Markó B, Csata E. Infection with a non-lethal fungal parasite is associated with increased immune investment in the ant Myrmica scabrinodis. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 202:108027. [PMID: 38042446 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Social insects, such as ants, are preferred host organisms of pathogens and parasites because colonies are densely populated, and the number of potential hosts is high in the same place and time. Within a colony, individuals are exposed differentially to risks according to their function and age. Thus, older individuals forage and are therefore the most exposed to infection, predation, or physical stress, while young workers mostly stay inside the sheltered nest being less exposed. Immune investment is considered to be dependent on an individual's age and pathogen pressure. Long-term exposure to a parasite could affect the immune activity of individuals in an intriguing way that interferes with the age-dependent decline in immunocompetence. However, there are only few cases in which such interferences can be studied. The myrmecopathogenic fungus Rickia wasmannii, which infects entire colonies without killing the workers, is a suitable candidate for such studies. We investigated the general immunocompetence of Myrmica scabrinodis ant workers associated with non-lethal fungal infection by measuring the levels of active phenoloxidase (PO) and total PO (PPO) (reflecting the amount of both active and inactive forms of the enzyme) in two age classes. The level of PO proved to be higher in infected workers than in uninfected ones, while the level of PPO increased with age but was not affected by infection. Overall, these results indicate that a long-term infection could go hand in hand with increased immune activity of ant workers, conferring them higher level of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kincső Orbán-Bakk
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Clinicilor st. 5-7, Romania; Center for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Sociobiology and Insect Ecology Lab, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Clinicilor st. 5-7, Romania.
| | - Magdalena Witek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Anna Dubiec
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Jürgen Heinze
- Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Bálint Markó
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Clinicilor st. 5-7, Romania; Institute for Research, Development and Innovation in Applied Natural Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, Fântânele 30, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Enikő Csata
- Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany.
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2
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Franco-Belussi L, de Oliveira Júnior JG, Goldberg J, De Oliveira C, Fernandes CE, Provete DB. Multiple morphophysiological responses of a tropical frog to urbanization conform to the pace-of-life syndrome. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coad106. [PMID: 38293639 PMCID: PMC10823355 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The Pace-of-Life syndrome proposes that behavioural, physiological and immune characteristics vary along a slow-fast gradient. Urbanization poses several physiological challenges to organisms. However, little is known about how the health status of frogs is affected by urbanization in the Tropics, which have a faster and more recent urbanization than the northern hemisphere. Here, we analysed a suite of physiological variables that reflect whole organism health, reproduction, metabolic and circulatory physiology and leukocyte responses in Leptodactylus podicipinus. Specifically, we tested how leukocyte profile, erythrocyte morphometrics and germ cell density, as well as somatic indices and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities differ throughout the adult life span between urban and rural populations. We used Phenotypic Trajectory Analysis to test the effect of age and site on each of the multivariate data sets; and a Generalised Linear Model to test the effect of site and age on nuclear abnormalities. Somatic indices, erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities, erythrocyte morphometrics and leukocyte profile differed between populations, but less so for germ cell density. We found a large effect of site on nuclear abnormalities, with urban frogs having twice as many abnormalities as rural frogs. Our results suggest that urban frogs have a faster pace of life, but the response of phenotypic compartments is not fully concerted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Franco-Belussi
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, 15054-000, Brazil
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, 79002970, Brazil
| | - José Gonçalves de Oliveira Júnior
- Graduate Program in Animal Biology, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Javier Goldberg
- Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal - CONICET; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Classius De Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Carlos E Fernandes
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, 79002970, Brazil
| | - Diogo B Provete
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, 79002970, Brazil
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Göteborg, Box 100, S 405 30, Sweden
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3
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Burstyn-Cohen T, Fresia R. TAM receptors in phagocytosis: Beyond the mere internalization of particles. Immunol Rev 2023; 319:7-26. [PMID: 37596991 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK constitute the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases, activated by their ligands GAS6 and PROS1. TAMs are necessary for adult homeostasis in the immune, nervous, reproductive, skeletal, and vascular systems. Among additional cellular functions employed by TAMs, phagocytosis is central for tissue health. TAM receptors are dominant in providing phagocytes with the molecular machinery necessary to engulf diverse targets, including apoptotic cells, myelin debris, and portions of live cells in a phosphatidylserine-dependent manner. Simultaneously, TAMs drive the release of anti-inflammatory and tissue repair molecules. Disruption of the TAM-driven phagocytic pathway has detrimental consequences, resulting in autoimmunity, male infertility, blindness, and disrupted vascular integrity, and which is thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Although structurally and functionally redundant, the TAM receptors and ligands underlie complex signaling cascades, of which several key aspects are yet to be elucidated. We discuss similarities and differences between TAMs and other phagocytic pathways, highlight future directions and how TAMs can be harnessed therapeutically to modulate phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Burstyn-Cohen
- The Institute for Biomedical and Oral Research, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Roberta Fresia
- The Institute for Biomedical and Oral Research, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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4
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Liang Z, Dong X, Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Zhao Y. Age-related thymic involution: Mechanisms and functional impact. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13671. [PMID: 35822239 PMCID: PMC9381902 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the primary immune organ responsible for generating self‐tolerant and immunocompetent T cells. However, the thymus gradually involutes during early life resulting in declined naïve T‐cell production, a process known as age‐related thymic involution. Thymic involution has many negative impacts on immune function including reduced pathogen resistance, high autoimmunity incidence, and attenuated tumor immunosurveillance. Age‐related thymic involution leads to a gradual reduction in thymic cellularity and thymic stromal microenvironment disruption, including loss of definite cortical‐medullary junctions, reduction of cortical thymic epithelial cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells, fibroblast expansion, and an increase in perivascular space. The compromised thymic microenvironment in aged individuals substantially disturbs thymocyte development and differentiation. Age‐related thymic involution is regulated by many transcription factors, micro RNAs, growth factors, cytokines, and other factors. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of age‐related thymic involution mechanisms and effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanfeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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5
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Emmrich S, Tolibzoda Zakusilo F, Trapp A, Zhou X, Zhang Q, Irving EM, Drage MG, Zhang Z, Gladyshev VN, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V. Ectopic cervical thymi and no thymic involution until midlife in naked mole rats. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13477. [PMID: 34596321 PMCID: PMC8520710 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosenescence is a hallmark of aging and manifests as increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmunity, and cancer in the elderly. One component of immunosenescence is thymic involution, age-associated shrinkage of the thymus, observed in all vertebrates studied to date. The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has become an attractive animal model in aging research due to its extreme longevity and resistance to disease. Here, we show that naked mole rats display no thymic involution up to 11 years of age. Furthermore, we found large ectopic cervical thymi in addition to the canonical thoracic thymus, both being identical in their cell composition. The developmental landscape in naked mole rat thymi revealed overt differences from the murine T-cell compartment, most notably a decrease of CD4+ /CD8+ double-positive cells and lower abundance of cytotoxic effector T cells. Our observations suggest that naked mole rats display a delayed immunosenescence. Therapeutic interventions aimed at reversing thymic aging remain limited, underscoring the importance of understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind a sustained immune function in the naked mole rat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xuming Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Quanwei Zhang
- Department of GeneticsAlbert Einstein College of MedicineNew York CityNYUSA
| | | | - Michael G. Drage
- Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNYUSA
| | - Zhengdong Zhang
- Department of GeneticsAlbert Einstein College of MedicineNew York CityNYUSA
| | - Vadim N. Gladyshev
- Division of GeneticsDepartment of MedicineBrigham and Women’s HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | | | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterNYUSA
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6
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Schmucker S, Hofmann T, Sommerfeld V, Huber K, Rodehutscord M, Stefanski V. Immune parameters in two different laying hen strains during five production periods. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101408. [PMID: 34530229 PMCID: PMC8450256 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During life, the number and function of immune cells change with potential consequences for immunocompetence of an organism. In laying hens, studies have primarily focused on early development of immune competence and only few have investigated systemic and lymphatic distribution of leukocyte subsets during adolescence and the egg-laying period. The present study determined the number of various leukocyte types in blood, spleen, and cecal tonsils of 10 Lohmann Brown-Classic and 10 Lohmann LSL-Classic hens per wk of life 9/10, 15/16, 23/24, 29/30, and 59/60, encompassing important production as well as developmental stages, by flow cytometry. Although immune traits differed between the 2 hen strains, identical patterns of age-related immunological changes were found. The numbers of all investigated lymphocyte types in the spleen as well as the numbers of blood γδ T cells increased from wk 9/10 to 15/16. This suggests an ongoing release of lymphocytes from primary lymphoid tissues and an influx of blood lymphocytes into the spleen due to novel pathogen encounters during adolescence. A strong decrease in the number of CTL and γδ T cells and an increase in innate immune cells within blood and spleen were found between wk of life 15/16 and 23/24, covering the transition phase to egg-laying activity. Numbers of peripheral and splenic lymphocytes remained low during the egg-laying period or even further decreased, for example blood CD4+ T cells and splenic γδ T cells. Functional assessments showed that in vitro IFN-γ production of mitogen-stimulated splenocytes was lower in wk 60. Taken together, egg-laying activity seems to alter the immune system toward a more pronounced humoral and innate immune response, with probable consequences for the immunocompetence and thus for productivity, health and welfare of the hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Schmucker
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Tanja Hofmann
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Vera Sommerfeld
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Korinna Huber
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Markus Rodehutscord
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Volker Stefanski
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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7
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Paiola M, Moreira C, Hétru J, Duflot A, Pinto PIS, Scapigliati G, Knigge T, Monsinjon T. Prepubertal gonad investment modulates thymus function: evidence in a teleost fish. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:238091. [PMID: 33789987 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.238576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Thymus plasticity following gonadectomy or sex hormone replacement has long since exemplified sex hormone effects on the immune system in mammals and, to a lesser extent, in 'lower vertebrates', including amphibians and fish. Nevertheless, the underlying physiological significances as well as the ontogenetic establishment of this crosstalk remain largely unknown. Here, we used a teleost fish, the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, to investigate: (1) whether the regulation of thymus plasticity relies on resource trade-off with somatic growth and reproductive investment and (2) if the gonad-thymus interaction takes place during gonadal differentiation and development. Because gonadal development and, supposedly, thymus function in sea bass depend on environmental changes associated with the winter season, we evaluated thymus changes (foxn1 expression, and thymocyte and T cell content) in juvenile D. labrax raised for 1 year under either constant or fluctuating photoperiod and temperature. Importantly, in both conditions, intensive gonadal development following sex differentiation coincided with a halt of thymus growth, while somatic growth continued. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that gonadal development during prepuberty regulates thymus plasticity. This finding may provide an explanation for the initiation of the thymus involution related to ageing in mammals. Comparing fixed and variable environmental conditions, our work also demonstrates that the extent of the effects on the thymus, which are related to reproduction, depend on ecophysiological conditions, rather than being directly related to sexual maturity and sex hormone levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Paiola
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULH Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), University of Le Havre Normandy, 76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Catarina Moreira
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULH Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), University of Le Havre Normandy, 76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Julie Hétru
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULH Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), University of Le Havre Normandy, 76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Aurélie Duflot
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULH Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), University of Le Havre Normandy, 76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Patricia I S Pinto
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Thomas Knigge
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULH Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), University of Le Havre Normandy, 76600 Le Havre, France
| | - Tiphaine Monsinjon
- Normandy University, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULH Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), University of Le Havre Normandy, 76600 Le Havre, France
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8
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Siqueira MS, Leão TRF, Rodrigues RA, Farias KNN, Silva ALN, Marcondes SF, Veiga ML, Franco-Belussi L, Fernandes CE. Age-associated hemogram and ultrastructural leukocyte morphology in Pygocentrus nattereri (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae) from the Brazilian Pantanal. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pygocentrus nattereri is a carnivorous fish widely distributed in the Brazilian wetland and occupies different river strata. Based on the sexual maturity, the standard length (SL) has been used to categorize age and physiological attributes. However, hematological parameters and their relationship with age and growth features are unknow. Here, the aim was to evaluate the hematological profile and leukocyte data of juvenile and adult specimens, associating it with SL. Specimens of both sexes were weighted, and SL were measured for classify as juveniles (SL ≤16.0 cm) and adults (SL ≥16.1 cm). Blood was collected to perform the hemogram, for leukocyte quantification and ultrastructural descriptions. In general, hemogram values and leukocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts were high in juveniles. Hemogram variables were negatively correlated with SL. Thrombocyte and neutrophil counts were higher in adults than in juveniles. SL was correlated with leukogram variables. Ultrastructural analysis showed that granular leukocyte count in P. nattereri was similar another fishes. PAS-positive granular leukocytes are slightly smaller than neutrophils and are characterized by dense elongated and semi-lunar shapes in the cytoplasm. Our results suggest that age-based SL may be useful for the analysis of the relationship between P. nattereri health status and wetland aquatic environments.
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Elyahu Y, Monsonego A. Thymus involution sets the clock of the aging T-cell landscape: Implications for declined immunity and tissue repair. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 65:101231. [PMID: 33248315 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aging is generally characterized as a gradual increase in tissue damage, which is associated with senescence and chronic systemic inflammation and is evident in a variety of age-related diseases. The extent to which such tissue damage is a result of a gradual decline in immune regulation, which consequently compromises the capacity of the body to repair damages, has not been fully explored. Whereas CD4 T lymphocytes play a critical role in the orchestration of immunity, thymus involution initiates gradual changes in the CD4 T-cell landscape, which may significantly compromise tissue repair. In this review, we describe the lifespan accumulation of specific dysregulated CD4 T-cell subsets and their coevolution with systemic inflammation in the process of declined immunity and tissue repair capacity with age. Then, we discuss the process of thymus involution-which appears to be most pronounced around puberty-as a possible driver of the aging T-cell landscape. Finally, we identify individualized T cell-based early diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehezqel Elyahu
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Zlotowski Neuroscience Center and Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Alon Monsonego
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Zlotowski Neuroscience Center and Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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10
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Kernen L, Rieder J, Duus A, Holbech H, Segner H, Bailey C. Thymus development in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) from an ecoimmunology perspective. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 333:805-819. [PMID: 33306886 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is present in all gnathostome vertebrates and is an essential organ for the adaptive immune system via the generation of functional mature T-cells. Over the life span of mammals, the thymus undergoes morphological and functional alterations, including an age-related involution, which in humans starts in early life. Life history tradeoffs have been suggested as possible reasons for thymus involution. While in teleost fish, only a few studies have investigated alterations of thymus structure and function over different life stages, resulting in a fragmented database. Here, we investigated the thymus growth of zebrafish (Danio rerio) from early life, throughout puberty and reproductive stage, up to 1-year-old. We assessed thymus growth by histological and morphometric analyses and thymocyte numbers. Thymus function was assessed by measuring the transcripts of the thymocyte marker genes, ikaros, tcrα, and tcrδ. Additionally, we analyzed gonad maturity and tail homogenate vitellogenin concentrations to align thymus status with the status of the reproductive system. Our results showed that the zebrafish thymus, in contrast to the human thymus, grew strongly during early life and puberty but started to undergo involution when the fish reached the reproductive age. The involution was characterized by reduced thymus area and thymocyte number, altered histoarchitecture, and decreasing thymocyte marker gene transcript levels. Our findings suggest that age-related changes of the zebrafish thymus do exist and could be partly explained in terms of resource tradeoffs, but also in terms of the ontogenetically late development of a functional adaptive immune system in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Kernen
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Rieder
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annette Duus
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Holbech
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helmut Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christyn Bailey
- Fish Immunology and Pathology Group, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Madrid, Spain
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11
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The Teleost Thymus in Health and Disease: New Insights from Transcriptomic and Histopathological Analyses of Turbot, Scophthalmus maximus. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9080221. [PMID: 32823553 PMCID: PMC7465915 DOI: 10.3390/biology9080221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ that plays a pivotal role in the adaptive immune system. The immunobiology of the thymus in fish is considered to be similar to that of mammals, but it is actually poorly characterized in several cultured teleost species. In particular, while investigations in human and veterinary medicine have highlighted that the thymus can be affected by different pathological conditions, little is known about its response during disease in fish. To better understand the role of the thymus under physiological and pathological conditions, we conducted a study in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), a commercially valuable flatfish species, combining transcriptomic and histopathological analyses. The myxozoan parasite Enteromyxum scophthalmi, which represents a major challenge to turbot production, was used as a model of infection. The thymus tissues of healthy fish showed overrepresented functions related to its immunological role in T-cell development and maturation. Large differences were observed between the transcriptomes of control and severely infected fish. Evidence of inflammatory response, apoptosis modulation, and declined thymic function associated with loss of cellularity was revealed by both genomic and morphopathological analyses. This study presents the first description of the turbot thymus transcriptome and provides novel insights into the role of this organ in teleosts’ immune responses.
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12
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García-Ceca J, Montero-Herradón S, Zapata AG. Thymus aging in mice deficient in either EphB2 or EphB3, two master regulators of thymic epithelium development. Dev Dyn 2020; 249:1243-1258. [PMID: 32506584 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epithelial microenvironment is involved in thymus aging, but the possible role of EphB receptors that govern the thymic epithelium development has not been investigated. Herein, we study the changes undergone by the thymus of EphB-deficient mice throughout their life. RESULTS Immune alterations occurring throughout life were more severe in mutant than in wild-type (WT) mice. Mutant thymuses exhibit lower cellularity than WT ones, as well as lower proportions of early thymic progenitors cells and double-positive (CD4+ CD8+ ) thymocytes, but higher of double-negative (CD4- CD8- ) and single-positive (CD4+ CD8- , CD4- CD8+ ) cells. Throughout life, CD4+ naïve cells decreased particularly in mutant mice. In correlation, memory T cells, largely CD8+ cells, increased. Aged thymic epithelium undergoes changes including appearance of big epithelial free areas, decrease of K8+ K5- areas, which, however, contain higher proportions of Ly51+ UEA1- cortical epithelial cells, in correlation with reduced Aire+ medullary epithelial cells. Also, aged thymuses particularly those derived from mutant mice exhibited increased collagen IV, fat-storing cells, and connective cells. CONCLUSIONS The absence of EphB accelerates the alterations undergone throughout life by both thymic epithelium and thymocytes, and the proportions of peripheral naïve and memory T cells, all of which are hallmarks of immune aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier García-Ceca
- Department of Cell Biology; Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Montero-Herradón
- Department of Cell Biology; Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín G Zapata
- Department of Cell Biology; Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
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Cowan JE, Takahama Y, Bhandoola A, Ohigashi I. Postnatal Involution and Counter-Involution of the Thymus. Front Immunol 2020; 11:897. [PMID: 32477366 PMCID: PMC7235445 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymus involution occurs in all vertebrates. It is thought to impact on immune responses in the aged, and in other clinical circumstances such as bone marrow transplantation. Determinants of thymus growth and size are beginning to be identified. Ectopic expression of factors like cyclin D1 and Myc in thymic epithelial cells (TEC)s results in considerable increase in thymus size. These models provide useful experimental tools that allow thymus function to be understood. In future, understanding TEC-specific controllers of growth will provide new approaches to thymus regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Cowan
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Avinash Bhandoola
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
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14
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Implications of Oxidative Stress and Cellular Senescence in Age-Related Thymus Involution. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:7986071. [PMID: 32089780 PMCID: PMC7025075 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7986071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human thymus is a primary lymphoepithelial organ which supports the production of self-tolerant T cells with competent and regulatory functions. Paradoxically, despite the crucial role that it exerts in T cell-mediated immunity and prevention of systemic autoimmunity, the thymus is the first organ of the body that exhibits age-associated degeneration/regression, termed “thymic involution.” A hallmark of this early phenomenon is a progressive decline of thymic mass as well as a decreased output of naïve T cells, thus resulting in impaired immune response. Importantly, thymic involution has been recently linked with cellular senescence which is a stress response induced by various stimuli. Accumulation of senescent cells in tissues has been implicated in aging and a plethora of age-related diseases. In addition, several lines of evidence indicate that oxidative stress, a well-established trigger of senescence, is also involved in thymic involution, thus highlighting a possible interplay between oxidative stress, senescence, and thymic involution.
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15
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Conte M, Martucci M, Sandri M, Franceschi C, Salvioli S. The Dual Role of the Pervasive "Fattish" Tissue Remodeling With Age. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:114. [PMID: 30863366 PMCID: PMC6400104 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human aging is characterized by dramatic changes in body mass composition that include a general increase of the total fat mass. Within the fat mass, a change in the proportions of adipose tissues also occurs with aging, affecting body metabolism, and playing a central role in many chronic diseases, including insulin resistance, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type II diabetes. In mammals, fat accumulates as white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissue, which differ both in morphology and function. While WAT is involved in lipid storage and immuno-endocrine responses, BAT is aimed at generating heat. With advancing age BAT declines, while WAT increases reaching the maximum peak by early old age and changes its distribution toward a higher proportion of visceral WAT. However, lipids tend to accumulate also within lipid droplets (LDs) in non-adipose tissues, including muscle, liver, and heart. The excess of such ectopic lipid deposition and the alteration of LD homeostasis contribute to the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned age-related diseases. It is not clear why age-associated tissue remodeling seems to lean toward lipid deposition as a "default program." However, it can be noted that such remodeling is not inevitably detrimental. In fact, such a programmed redistribution of fat throughout life could be considered physiological and even protective, in particular at extreme old age. In this regard, it has to be considered that an excessive decrease of subcutaneous peripheral fat is associated with a pro-inflammatory status, and a decrease of LD is associated with lipotoxicity leading to an increased risk of insulin resistance, type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. At variance, a balanced rate of fat content and distribution has beneficial effects for health and metabolic homeostasis, positively affecting longevity. In this review, we will summarize the present knowledge on the mechanisms of the age-related changes in lipid distribution and we will discuss how fat mass negatively or positively impacts on human health and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Conte
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre “L. Galvani” (CIG), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Maria Conte
| | - Morena Martucci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Sandri
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Claudio Franceschi
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Stefano Salvioli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre “L. Galvani” (CIG), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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16
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Zhou T, Gui L, Liu M, Li W, Hu P, Duarte DFC, Niu H, Chen L. Transcriptomic responses to low temperature stress in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 84:1145-1156. [PMID: 30408600 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is a species of high economic value and extensively cultured. The limited stress tolerance of this species to a low temperature usually leads to mass mortality and great loss. Nevertheless, there is limited information on the molecular mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to low temperature in the tilapia. In this study, tilapia was treated at 28 °C to a lethal temperature of 8 °C by a gradual decrement. Transcriptomic response of the immune organ, kidney, in tilapia was characterized using RNA-seq. In total, 2191 genes were annotated for significant expression, which were mainly associated with metabolism and immunity. Pathway analysis showed that immune-related pathways of phagosome and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) pathway were significantly down-regulated under low temperature. Moreover, ferroptosis, a significantly changed pathway involved in tissue damage and acute renal failure, is reported here for the first time. The levels of serum parameters associated with kidney damage such as urea and uric acid (UA) increased significantly under low temperature. The immunofluorescence staining of the kidney showed that cell apoptosis occurred at low temperature. The results of the present study indicate that exposure to low temperature can cause kidney disfunction and down-regulate the immune-related pathway in the kidney of tilapia. This study provides new insight into the mechanism of kidney damage in fish under low temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhou
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lang Gui
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingli Liu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Hu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Daniel F C Duarte
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Hongbo Niu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangbiao Chen
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
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17
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Zamora-Camacho FJ, Comas M. Early swelling response to phytohemagglutinin is lower in older toads. PeerJ 2018; 6:e6104. [PMID: 30595980 PMCID: PMC6304268 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of age on performance of life-history traits are diverse, but a common outcome is senescence, an irreversible deterioration of physical and physiological capabilities of older individuals. Immune response is potentially bound to senescence. However, little is known about immune response ageing in amphibians. In this work, we test the hypothesis that amphibian early immune response is reduced in older individuals. To this end, we captured adult natterjack toads (Epidalea calamita) and inoculated them with phytohemagglutinin, an innocuous protein that triggers a skin-swelling immune response whose magnitude is directly proportional to the ability of the individual to mount an immune response. We measured early swelling immune response (corresponding to an innate-response stage) hourly, for six hours, and we calculated the area under the curve (AUC) for each individual's time series, as a measure of immune response magnitude incorporating time. We estimated toad age by means of phalanx skeletochronology. Swelling and AUC decreased with age. Therefore, in accordance with our predictions, early immune response seems subject to senescence in these toads. Reduced ability to get over infections due to senescence of immune respose might be-together with a worse functioning of other organs and systems-among the causes of lower survival of older specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Zamora-Camacho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Comas
- Department of Integrative Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
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18
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Odinokov D, Hamblin MR. Aging of lymphoid organs: Can photobiomodulation reverse age-associated thymic involution via stimulation of extrapineal melatonin synthesis and bone marrow stem cells? JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:e201700282. [PMID: 29227581 PMCID: PMC5995606 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Thymic atrophy and the subsequent reduction in T-cell production are the most noticeable age-related changes affecting lymphoid organs in the immune system. In fact, thymic involution has been described as "programmed aging." New therapeutic approaches, such as photobiomodulation (PBM), may reduce or reverse these changes. PBM (also known as low-level laser therapy) involves the delivery of non-thermal levels of red or near-infrared light that are absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores, in order to prevent tissue death and stimulate healing and regeneration. PBM may reverse or prevent thymic involution due to its ability to induce extrapineal melatonin biosynthesis via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) or NF-kB activation, or alternatively by stimulating bone marrow stem cells that can regenerate the thymus. This perspective puts forward a hypothesis that PBM can alter thymic involution, improve immune functioning in aged people and even extend lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Odinokov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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19
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Liu X, Li Z, Wu W, Liu Y, Liu J, He Y, Wang X, Wang Z, Qi J, Yu H, Zhang Q. Sequencing-based network analysis provides a core set of gene resource for understanding kidney immune response against Edwardsiella tarda infection in Japanese flounder. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 67:643-654. [PMID: 28651821 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Marine organisms are under a frequent threat from various pathogens. Edwardsiella tarda is one of the major fish pathogens infecting both cultured and wild fish species. It can also infect a variety of other vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, and bacteremia caused by E. tarda can be fatal in humans. The kidney is the largest lymphoid organ in fish, and generating kidney transcriptomic information under different stresses is crucial for understanding molecular mechanisms underlying the immune responses in the kidneys. In this study, we performed transcriptome-wide gene expression profiling of the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) challenged by 8 and 48 h of E. tarda infection. An average of 40 million clean reads per library was obtained, and approximately 81.6% of these reads were successfully mapped to the reference genome. In addition, 1319 and 4439 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found at 8 and 48 h post-injection, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to search immune-related DEGs. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to ascertain the relationship between interacting immune genes during pathogen-induced stress. Based on the KEGG and protein association networks analysis, 24 hub genes were discovered and validated by qRT-PCR. To our knowledge, this study is the first to represent the kidney transcriptome analysis based on protein-protein interaction networks in fish. Our results provide valuable gene resources for further research on kidney immune response in fish, which can significantly improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response to E. tarda in humans and other vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zan Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wenzhao Wu
- Department of Information Management, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jinxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yan He
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xubo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Qi
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, China
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20
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Interleukin-7 and Immunosenescence. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:4807853. [PMID: 28484723 PMCID: PMC5397725 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4807853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The age of an individual is an important, independent risk factor for many of the most common diseases afflicting modern societies. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) plays a central, critical role in the homeostasis of the immune system. Recent studies support a critical role for IL-7 in the maintenance of a vigorous healthspan. We describe the role of IL-7 and its receptor in immunosenescence, the aging of the immune system. An understanding of the role that IL-7 plays in aging may permit parsimonious preventative or therapeutic solutions for diverse conditions. Perhaps IL-7 might be used to "tune" the immune system to optimize human healthspan and longevity.
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21
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Vermeulen A, Eens M, Van Dongen S, Müller W. Does baseline innate immunity change with age? A multi-year study in great tits. Exp Gerontol 2017; 92:67-73. [PMID: 28315788 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their life animals progressively accumulate mostly detrimental changes in cells, tissues and their functions, causing a decrease in individual performance and ultimately an increased risk of death. The latter may be amplified if it also leads to a deterioration of the immune system which forms the most important protection against the permanent threat of pathogens and infectious diseases. Here, we investigated how four baseline innate immune parameters (natural antibodies, complement activity, concentrations of haptoglobin and concentrations of nitric oxide) changed with age in free-living great tits (Parus major). We applied both cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches as birds were sampled for up to three years of their lives. Three out of the four selected innate immune parameters were affected by age. However, the shape of the response curves differed strongly among the innate immune parameters. Natural antibody levels increased during early life until mid-age to decrease thereafter when birds aged. Complement activity was highest in young birds, while levels slightly decreased with increasing age. Haptoglobin levels on the other hand, showed a linear, but highly variable increase with age, while nitric oxide concentrations were unaffected by age. The observed differences among the four studied innate immune traits not only indicate the importance of considering several immune traits at the same time, but also highlight the complexity of innate immunity. Unraveling the functional significance of the observed changes in innate immunity is thus a challenging next step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Vermeulen
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Stefan Van Dongen
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Wendt Müller
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Kim MJ, Miller CM, Shadrach JL, Wagers AJ, Serwold T. Young, proliferative thymic epithelial cells engraft and function in aging thymuses. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:4784-95. [PMID: 25870244 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1403158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The thymus reaches its maximum size early in life and then begins to shrink, producing fewer T cells with increasing age. This thymic decline is thought to contribute to age-related T cell lymphopenias and hinder T cell recovery after bone marrow transplantation. Although several cellular and molecular processes have been implicated in age-related thymic involution, their relative contributions are not known. Using heterochronic parabiosis, we observe that young circulating factors are not sufficient to drive regeneration of the aged thymus. In contrast, we find that resupplying young, engraftable thymic epithelial cells (TECs) to a middle-aged or defective thymus leads to thymic growth and increased T cell production. Intrathymic transplantation and in vitro colony-forming assays reveal that the engraftment and proliferative capacities of TECs diminish early in life, whereas the receptivity of the thymus to TEC engraftment remains relatively constant with age. These results support a model in which thymic growth and subsequent involution are driven by cell-intrinsic changes in the proliferative capacity of TECs, and further show that young TECs can engraft and directly drive the growth of involuted thymuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Jeong Kim
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Christine M Miller
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138; and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Paul F. Glenn Laboratories for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Jennifer L Shadrach
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138; and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Paul F. Glenn Laboratories for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Amy J Wagers
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138; and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Paul F. Glenn Laboratories for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Thomas Serwold
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138;
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BILLER-TAKAHASHI JAQUELINED, URBINATI ELISABETHC. Fish Immunology. The modification and manipulation of the innate immune system: Brazilian studies. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2014; 86:1484-506. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201420130159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The understanding of fish immune system structure and function is essential for the development of new technologies and products to improve productivity. This is the first review on immune system of fish with Brazilian studies. Aquaculture in Brazil has shown massive growth in recent years due to methods of culture intensification. However, these procedures led to disease outbreaks, as well as the chemotherapy and the misuse of antibiotics. A viable alternative to avoid the use of chemicals and prevent economic losses is the administration of immunostimulants and prebiotcs, which act by increasing the innate immune system. In Brazil there is a lack of studies on fish immune system, except by some groups that have studied the effects of the immunostimulants administration in various species.
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24
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Immunosenescence and resistance to parasite infection in the honey bee, Apis mellifera. J Invertebr Pathol 2014; 121:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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25
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Rezzani R, Nardo L, Favero G, Peroni M, Rodella LF. Thymus and aging: morphological, radiological, and functional overview. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 36:313-51. [PMID: 23877171 PMCID: PMC3889907 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-013-9564-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a continuous process that induces many alterations in the cytoarchitecture of different organs and systems both in humans and animals. Moreover, it is associated with increased susceptibility to infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic processes. The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the production of immunocompetent T cells and, with aging, it atrophies and declines in functions. Universality of thymic involution in all species possessing thymus, including human, indicates it as a long-standing evolutionary event. Although it is accepted that many factors contribute to age-associated thymic involution, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the process. The exact time point of the initiation is not well defined. To address the issue, we report the exact age of thymus throughout the review so that readers can have a nicely pictured synoptic view of the process. Focusing our attention on the different stages of the development of the thymus gland (natal, postnatal, adult, and old), we describe chronologically the morphological changes of the gland. We report that the thymic morphology and cell types are evolutionarily preserved in several vertebrate species. This finding is important in understanding the similar problems caused by senescence and other diseases. Another point that we considered very important is to indicate the assessment of the thymus through radiological images to highlight its variability in shape, size, and anatomical conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Rezzani
- Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy,
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Abstract
Age-related regression of the thymus is associated with a decline in naïve T cell output. This is thought to contribute to the reduction in T cell diversity seen in older individuals and linked with increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Thymic involution is one of the most dramatic and ubiquitous changes seen in the aging immune system, but the mechanisms which underlying this process are poorly understood. However, a picture is emerging, implicating the involvement of both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. In this review we assess the role of the thymic microenvironment as a potential target that regulates thymic involution, question whether thymocyte development in the aged thymus is functionally impaired, and explore the kinetics of thymic involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald B Palmer
- Infection and Immunity Group, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London , London , UK
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It's not all equal: a multiphasic theory of thymic involution. Biogerontology 2011; 13:77-81. [PMID: 21773717 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-011-9349-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Regression of the thymus is a key feature of immunosenescence, which coincides with a decrease in T cell output and contributes to the restriction of the T cell repertoire in the elderly, leading to increased susceptibility to illness and disease. However, the mechanisms involved in thymic involution are still not fully known. Although, it is often believed that thymic involution occurs during the onset of puberty, increasing data suggests alterations to the thymus happen much earlier in life. Therefore, the changes in the thymus and subsequent thymic function may not just be an ageing phenomenon. In this article, we propose that there are several, non-linear, phases to thymic atrophy, which are regulated by different mechanisms, including the familiar age-dependent thymic involution and a much earlier growth-dependent thymic involution.
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Shanley DP, Aw D, Manley NR, Palmer DB. An evolutionary perspective on the mechanisms of immunosenescence. Trends Immunol 2009; 30:374-81. [PMID: 19541538 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2009.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2009] [Revised: 04/12/2009] [Accepted: 05/11/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
There is an accumulating body of evidence that a decline in immune function with age is common to most if not all vertebrates. For instance, age-associated thymic involution seems to occur in all species that possess a thymus, indicating that this process is evolutionary ancient and conserved. The precise mechanisms regulating immunosenescence remain to be resolved, but much of what we do know is consistent with modern evolutionary theory. In this review, we assess our current knowledge from an evolutionary perspective on the occurrence of immunosenescence, we show that life history trade-offs play a key role and we highlight the possible advantages of the age-related decline in thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl P Shanley
- Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK
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Parasite age-intensity relationships in red-spotted newts: does immune memory influence salamander disease dynamics? Int J Parasitol 2008; 39:231-41. [PMID: 18708064 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2008] [Revised: 06/24/2008] [Accepted: 06/27/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Acquired immune memory in vertebrates influences transmission and persistence of infections, with consequences for parasite dynamics at both the individual and population levels. The potential impact of acquired immunity is of particular interest for salamanders, whose acquired immune systems are thought to be less effective than those of frogs and other tetrapods. One way to examine the importance of acquired immunity to parasite dynamics at the population level is by examining the relationship between host age and parasite infection intensity. Acquired immunity reduces infection rates in older animals, causing decreased parasite intensity in older age classes and leading to curvilinear age-intensity relationships for persistent parasites and convex age-intensity relationships for transient parasites. We used age-intensity relationships to look for the signature of acquired immunity for 12 parasite taxa of red-spotted newts (Notophthalmus viridescens), using data from a 2-year parasitological survey of six newt populations. We estimated ages from snout-vent length (SVL) based on the relationship between SVL and skeletochronologically-derived ages in a subset of newts. We found evidence of acquired immunity to two parasite taxa, bacterial pathogens and the protist Amphibiocystidium viridescens, whose convex age-intensity relationships could not be easily explained by alternative mechanisms. Our results suggest that the acquired immune response of newts is sufficient to influence the dynamics of at least some parasites.
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30
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Abstract
Age-associated thymic involution is one of the most dramatic and ubiquitous changes in the immune system, although the precise mechanisms involved still remain obscured. Several hypotheses have been proposed incorporating extrinsic and intrinsic factors, however, changes in the thymic microenvironment itself is one of the least investigated. We therefore decided to undertake a detailed histological examination of the aging thymus in order to elucidate possible mechanisms of thymic atrophy. This investigation provides insight into the changes within the murine thymus with age, demonstrating a new approach to quantify protein expressional differences while preserving the thymic architecture. There is a decline in expression of thymic epithelial cell-specific makers and an increase in fibroblast content in the aging mouse thymus. This is concurrent with a disorganization of the thymic compartments, a morphological transformation within the epithelial cells and alterations of their archetypal staining patterns. Furthermore, this is linked to a rise in apoptotic cells and the novel finding of increased senescence in the thymus of older mice that appears to be colocalized in the epithelial compartment. These changes within the thymic epithelial cells may be in part accountable for thymic atrophy and responsible for the decline in T-cell output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Aw
- Host Response and Genes and Development Group, Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK
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Mohammad MG, Chilmonczyk S, Birch D, Aladaileh S, Raftos D, Joss J. Anatomy and cytology of the thymus in juvenile Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri. J Anat 2007; 211:784-97. [PMID: 17944863 PMCID: PMC2375842 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2007.00814.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The anatomy, histology and ultrastructure of the thymus of a dipnoan, the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri, was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. The thymic tissue showed clear demarcation into a cortex and medulla with ample vascularization. Large cells including foamy and giant multinucleated cells with periodic acid Schiff/Alcian blue positive staining properties were localized mainly in the medulla. The major cellular components were epithelial cells and lymphoid cells. The epithelial cells were classified by location and ultrastructure into six sub-populations: capsular cells, cortical and medullary reticular cells, perivascular endothelial cells, intermediate cells, nurse-like cells and Hassall-like corpuscles. Myoid cells were found mainly in the cortico-medullary boundary and medulla. Macrophages and secretory-like cells were also present. These findings will provide a base of knowledge about the cellular immune system of lungfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Mohammad
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Abstract
It is now becoming apparent that the immune system undergoes age-associated alterations, which accumulate to produce a progressive deterioration in the ability to respond to infections and to develop immunity after vaccination, both of which are associated with a higher mortality rate in the elderly. Immunosenescence, defined as the changes in the immune system associated with age, has been gathering interest in the scientific and health-care sectors alike. The rise in its recognition is both pertinent and timely given the increasing average age and the corresponding failure to increase healthy life expectancy. This review attempts to highlight the age-dependent defects in the innate and adaptive immune systems. While discussing the mechanisms that contribute to immunosenescence, with emphasis on the extrinsic factors, particular attention will be focused on thymic involution. Finally, we illuminate potential therapies that could be employed to help us live a longer, fuller and healthier life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Aw
- Royal Veterinary College, Host Response and Genes and Development Group, Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal College Street, London, United Kingdom
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