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Fabian DK, Fuentealba M, Dönertaş HM, Partridge L, Thornton JM. Functional conservation in genes and pathways linking ageing and immunity. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2021; 18:23. [PMID: 33990202 PMCID: PMC8120713 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-021-00232-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
At first glance, longevity and immunity appear to be different traits that have not much in common except the fact that the immune system promotes survival upon pathogenic infection. Substantial evidence however points to a molecularly intertwined relationship between the immune system and ageing. Although this link is well-known throughout the animal kingdom, its genetic basis is complex and still poorly understood. To address this question, we here provide a compilation of all genes concomitantly known to be involved in immunity and ageing in humans and three well-studied model organisms, the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the house mouse Mus musculus. By analysing human orthologs among these species, we identified 7 evolutionarily conserved signalling cascades, the insulin/TOR network, three MAPK (ERK, p38, JNK), JAK/STAT, TGF-β, and Nf-κB pathways that act pleiotropically on ageing and immunity. We review current evidence for these pathways linking immunity and lifespan, and their role in the detrimental dysregulation of the immune system with age, known as immunosenescence. We argue that the phenotypic effects of these pathways are often context-dependent and vary, for example, between tissues, sexes, and types of pathogenic infection. Future research therefore needs to explore a higher temporal, spatial and environmental resolution to fully comprehend the connection between ageing and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K Fabian
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK. .,Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Matías Fuentealba
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK.,Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Handan Melike Dönertaş
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Linda Partridge
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK.,Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janet M Thornton
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
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Belmonte RL, Corbally MK, Duneau DF, Regan JC. Sexual Dimorphisms in Innate Immunity and Responses to Infection in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3075. [PMID: 32076419 PMCID: PMC7006818 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The sexes show profound differences in responses to infection and the development of autoimmunity. Dimorphisms in immune responses are ubiquitous across taxa, from arthropods to vertebrates. Drosophila melanogaster shows strong sex dimorphisms in immune system responses at baseline, upon pathogenic challenge, and over aging. We have performed an exhaustive survey of peer-reviewed literature on Drosophila immunity, and present a database of publications indicating the sex(es) analyzed in each study. While we found a growing interest in the community in adult immunity and in reporting both sexes, the main body of work in this field uses only one sex, or does not stratify by sex. We synthesize evidence for sexually dimorphic responses to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Dimorphisms may be mediated by distinct immune compartments, and we review work on sex differences in behavioral, epithelial, cellular, and systemic (fat body-mediated) immunity. Emerging work on sexually dimorphic aging of immune tissues, immune senescence, and inflammation are examined. We consider evolutionary drivers for sex differences in immune investment, highlight the features of Drosophila biology that make it particularly amenable to studies of immune dimorphisms, and discuss areas for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Belmonte
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mary-Kate Corbally
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David F. Duneau
- Laboratoire Evolution & Diversite Biologique, UMR5174 EDB, CNRS, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jennifer C. Regan
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Fabian DK, Garschall K, Klepsatel P, Santos‐Matos G, Sucena É, Kapun M, Lemaitre B, Schlötterer C, Arking R, Flatt T. Evolution of longevity improves immunity in Drosophila. Evol Lett 2018; 2:567-579. [PMID: 30564440 PMCID: PMC6292704 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Much has been learned about the genetics of aging from studies in model organisms, but still little is known about naturally occurring alleles that contribute to variation in longevity. For example, analysis of mutants and transgenes has identified insulin signaling as a major regulator of longevity, yet whether standing variation in this pathway underlies microevolutionary changes in lifespan and correlated fitness traits remains largely unclear. Here, we have analyzed the genomes of a set of Drosophila melanogaster lines that have been maintained under direct selection for postponed reproduction and indirect selection for longevity, relative to unselected control lines, for over 35 years. We identified many candidate loci shaped by selection for longevity and late-life fertility, but - contrary to expectation - we did not find overrepresentation of canonical longevity genes. Instead, we found an enrichment of immunity genes, particularly in the Toll pathway, suggesting that evolutionary changes in immune function might underpin - in part - the evolution of late-life fertility and longevity. To test whether this genomic signature is causative, we performed functional experiments. In contrast to control flies, long-lived flies tended to downregulate the expression of antimicrobial peptides upon infection with age yet survived fungal, bacterial, and viral infections significantly better, consistent with alleviated immunosenescence. To examine whether genes of the Toll pathway directly affect longevity, we employed conditional knockdown using in vivo RNAi. In adults, RNAi against the Toll receptor extended lifespan, whereas silencing the pathway antagonist cactus--causing immune hyperactivation - dramatically shortened lifespan. Together, our results suggest that genetic changes in the age-dependent regulation of immune homeostasis might contribute to the evolution of longer life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K. Fabian
- Centre for Pathogen Evolution, Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Institut für PopulationsgenetikVetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
- Vienna Graduate School of Population GeneticsViennaAustria
| | - Kathrin Garschall
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Peter Klepsatel
- Institut für PopulationsgenetikVetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
- Institute of ZoologySlovak Academy of Sciences845 06 BratislavaSlovakia
| | | | - Élio Sucena
- Instituto Gulbenkian de CiênciaOeirasPortugal
- Departamento de Biologia AnimalFaculdade de Ciências da Universidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Martin Kapun
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Bruno Lemaitre
- Global Health InstituteSchool of Life Sciences, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
| | | | - Robert Arking
- Department of Biological SciencesWayne State UniversityDetroitMichigan
| | - Thomas Flatt
- Institut für PopulationsgenetikVetmeduni ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FribourgFribourgSwitzerland
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Abstract
Here, we provide a brief review of the mechanistic connections between immunity and aging—a fundamental biological relationship that remains poorly understood—by considering two intertwined questions: how does aging affect immunity, and how does immunity affect aging? On the one hand, aging contributes to the deterioration of immune function and predisposes the organism to infections (“immuno-senescence”). On the other hand, excessive activation of the immune system can accelerate degenerative processes, cause inflammation and immunopathology, and thus promote aging (“inflammaging”). Interestingly, several recent lines of evidence support the hypothesis that restrained or curbed immune activity at old age (that is, optimized age-dependent immune homeostasis) might actually improve realized immune function and thereby promote longevity. We focus mainly on insights from
Drosophila, a powerful genetic model system in which both immunity and aging have been extensively studied, and conclude by outlining several unresolved questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Garschall
- Department of Ecology & Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Flatt
- Department of Ecology & Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Elevated extension of longevity by cyclically heat stressing a set of recombinant inbred lines of Drosophila melanogaster throughout their adult life. Biogerontology 2016; 17:883-892. [DOI: 10.1007/s10522-016-9658-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Sinam YM, Chatterjee A, Ranjini MS, Poojari A, Nagarajan A, Ramachandra NB, Nongthomba U. A newly evolved Drosophila Cytorace-9 shows trade-off between longevity and immune response. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 44:1-7. [PMID: 27306321 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Species with an efficient immune system would be at an advantage to evade pathogenic challenges and adapt to an ever changing ecological niche. The upkeep of immunity is a costly affair, thus trade-offs between immunity and other life history traits are expected. However, studies on the relation between immunity and life span have yielded paradoxical results. Drosophila Cytoraces, being at different stages of evolutionary divergence, provide an excellent experimental model system to study how evolving populations gain novel traits in the absence of selection. We found that in the absence of pathogenic infections, the Cytorace-9 flies lived longer than those of Cytorace-3. However, when these Cytoraces were challenged with different pathogenic microbes, the trend was opposite. After infection with pathogens, the long-lived Cytorace-9 survived worse than the short lived Cytorace-3, which can be attributed to a reduction in its immune response. This study provides evidence to support the existence of a trade-off between life span and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoirentomba Meetei Sinam
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
| | - Arunita Chatterjee
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
| | - Mysore S Ranjini
- Unit on Evolution and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Studies in Genetics and Genomics, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru 570 006, India
| | - Adarsh Poojari
- Unit on Evolution and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Studies in Genetics and Genomics, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru 570 006, India
| | - Aarthi Nagarajan
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
| | - Nallur B Ramachandra
- Unit on Evolution and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Studies in Genetics and Genomics, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru 570 006, India
| | - Upendra Nongthomba
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India.
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Henten AMV, Loeschcke V, Pedersen JG, Leisner JJ, Sarup P. Injuries can prolong lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster males. Biogerontology 2015; 17:337-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s10522-015-9616-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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McClure CD, Zhong W, Hunt VL, Chapman FM, Hill FV, Priest NK. Hormesis results in trade-offs with immunity. Evolution 2014; 68:2225-33. [PMID: 24862588 PMCID: PMC4282086 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many have argued that we may be able to extend life and improve human health through hormesis, the beneficial effects of low-level toxins and other stressors. But, studies of hormesis in model systems have not yet established whether stress-induced benefits are cost free, artifacts of inbreeding, or come with deleterious side effects. Here, we provide evidence that hormesis results in trade-offs with immunity. We find that a single topical dose of dead spores of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium robertsii, increases the longevity of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, without significant decreases in fecundity. We find that hormetic benefits of pathogen challenge are greater in lines that lack key components of antifungal immunity (Dif and Turandot M). And, in outbred fly lines, we find that topical pathogen challenge enhances both survival and fecundity, but reduces ability to fight off live infections. The results provide evidence that hormesis is manifested by stress-induced trade-offs with immunity, not cost-free benefits or artifacts of inbreeding. Our findings illuminate mechanisms underlying pathogen-induced life-history trade-offs, and indicate that reduced immune function may be an ironic side effect of the "elixirs of life."
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin D McClure
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.
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Le Bourg É. Fasting can protect young and middle-aged Drosophila melanogaster flies against a severe cold stress. Biogerontology 2013; 14:513-29. [PMID: 23990216 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-013-9458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Flies were starved with water before being subjected to various severe stresses (heat, cold, fungal infection, hydrogen peroxide) immediately after starvation or after a delay. Starvation of young and middle-aged flies increased resistance to a long cold stress (0 °C for up to 48 h), mainly if there was a 2-6 h delay between starvation and the cold stress, but positive effects in old flies were hardly observed. No positive effect was observed on resistance to the other stresses and starvation rather decreased resistance to them. It thus seems that fasting increases frailty but also puts at play mechanisms increasing resistance to cold. Starvation also increased learning scores but this could be linked to decreased positive phototaxis tendencies, and not to a better learning ability. Starvation appears to be a mild stress with limited hormetic effects, but studying the mechanisms of these effects is of interest because fasting is maybe of therapeutic value in human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éric Le Bourg
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, UMR CNRS 5169 Université Paul-Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse 9, France,
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