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Trombetta CM, Accardi G, Aiello A, Calabrò A, Caruso C, Ligotti ME, Marchi S, Montomoli E, Neto MM, Temperton N, Candore G. Centenarians, semi and supercentenarians, COVID-19 and Spanish flu: a serological assessment to gain insight into the resilience of older centenarians to COVID-19. Immun Ageing 2024; 21:44. [PMID: 38937774 PMCID: PMC11210044 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-024-00450-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although it is well known that the older people have been the most susceptible to COVID-19, there are conflicting data on the susceptibility of centenarians. Two epidemiological study have shown that older centenarians (> 101 years old at the time of the 2020 pandemic peak) are more resilient than the remaining centenarians, suggesting that this resilience might be linked to the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. To gain insight into this matter, specifically whether the resilience of older centenarians to SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked to the Spanish Flu they had been affected by, we conducted a retrospective serological study. This study examined serum samples from 33 centenarians, encompassing semi- (aged > 104 < 110 years, N = 7) and supercentenarians (aged > 109 years, N = 4), born between 1905 and 1922, against both SARS-CoV-2 and 1918 H1N1 pseudotype virus. RESULTS Anamnestic and laboratory data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 8 centenarians. The infection appeared to have been asymptomatic or mild, and hospitalization was not required, despite 3 out of 8 being between 109 and 110 years old. The levels of anti-spike antibodies in centenarians infected and/or vaccinated were higher, although not significantly, than those produced by a random sample of seventy-year-old individuals used as controls. All centenarians had antibody levels against the 1918 H1N1 virus significantly higher (almost 50 times) than those observed in the quoted group of seventy-year-old subjects, confirming the key role in maintaining immunological memory from a priming that occurred over 100 years ago. Centenarians whose blood was collected prior to the pandemic outbreak demonstrated neutralising antibodies against the 1918 H1N1 virus, but all these subjects tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION This retrospective study shows that older centenarians are quite resilient to COVID-19, as they are capable of producing good levels of neutralising antibodies and experiencing mild or asymptomatic disease. This could be attributed to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic through mechanisms other than the presence of cross-reactive antibodies between the 1918 H1N1 virus and SARS-CoV-2. Another possibility is that the association is purely temporal, solely correlated with the advanced age of resilient centenarians compared to those born after 1918, since older centenarians are known to have better control of immune-inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Maria Trombetta
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- VisMederi Research srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Calabrò
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Research, ISMETT-IRCCS Mediterranean Institute forTransplants and Highly Specialized Therapies, Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Marchi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- VisMederi Research srl, Siena, Italy
- VisMederi srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Martin Mayora Neto
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Nigel Temperton
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Scola L, Ferraro D, Sanfilippo GL, De Grazia S, Lio D, Giammanco GM. Age and Cytokine Gene Variants Modulate the Immunogenicity and Protective Effect of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-Based Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020413. [PMID: 36851291 PMCID: PMC9962548 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in late 2020 substantially changed the pandemic picture, inducing effective protection in the population. However, individual variability was observed with different levels of cellular response and neutralizing antibodies. We report data on the impact of age, gender, and 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytokine genes on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers measured 31 and 105 days after administration of the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine to 122 healthy subjects from the health care staff of the Palermo University Hospital, Italy. The higher titers at 31 days were measured in the younger subjects and in subjects bearing T-positive genotypes of IL-1R1 rs2234650 or the GG homozygous genotype of IL-6 rs1800795 SNP. T-positive genotypes are also significantly more common in subjects with higher titers at day 105. In addition, in this group of subjects, the frequency of the CT genotype of IL-4 rs2243250 is higher among those vaccinated with higher titers. Moreover, these SNPs and TNFA rs1800629 are differently distributed in a group of subjects that were found infected by SARS-CoV-2 at day 105 of evaluation. Finally, subjects that were found to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 at day 105 were significantly older than the uninfected subjects. Taken together, these data seem to suggest that age and polymorphisms of key cytokines, which regulate inflammation and humoral immune response, might influence the magnitude of the antibody response to vaccination with BNT162B2, prompting speculation about the possible benefit of a genetic background-based assessment of a personalized approach to the anti-COVID vaccination schedule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Scola
- Clinical Pathology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Corso Tukory, 211, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Donatella Ferraro
- Microbiology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Luisa Sanfilippo
- Microbiology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona De Grazia
- Microbiology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Lio
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Migrate”, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-91-6555913
| | - Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco
- Microbiology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
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Caruso C, Marcon G, Accardi G, Aiello A, Calabrò A, Ligotti ME, Tettamanti M, Franceschi C, Candore G. Role of Sex and Age in Fatal Outcomes of COVID-19: Women and Older Centenarians Are More Resilient. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2638. [PMID: 36768959 PMCID: PMC9916733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present paper, we have analysed the role of age and sex in the fatal outcome of COVID-19, as there are conflicting results in the literature. As such, we have answered three controversial questions regarding this aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) Have women been more resilient than men? (2) Did centenarians die less than the remaining older people? (3) Were older centenarians more resistant to SARS-CoV-2 than younger centenarians? The literature review demonstrated that: (1) it is women who are more resilient, in agreement with data showing that women live longer than men even during severe famines and epidemics; however, there are conflicting data regarding centenarian men; (2) centenarians overall did not die less than remaining older people, likely linked to their frailty; (3) in the first pandemic wave of 2020, centenarians > 101 years old (i.e., born before 1919), but not "younger centenarians", have been more resilient to COVID-19 and this may be related to the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, although it is unclear what the mechanisms might be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calogero Caruso
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Marcon
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Chirurgiche e della Salute, Università di Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Dipartinento di Area Medica, Università di Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Calabrò
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mauro Tettamanti
- Laboratorio di Epidemiologia Geriatrica, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Claudio Franceschi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
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Caruso C, Accardi G, Aiello A, Calabrò A, Ligotti ME, Candore G. Centenarians born before 1919 are resistant to COVID-19. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:217-220. [PMID: 36319938 PMCID: PMC9628492 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-022-02287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Although mortality from COVID-19 progressively increases with age, there are controversial data in the literature on the probability of centenarians dying from COVID-19. Moreover, it has been claimed that men in their 90s and 100s are more resilient than women. To gain insight into this matter, we analysed, according to gender, mortality data during the first year of pandemic of Sicilian nonagenarians and centenarians. We used mortality data from the 2019 as a control. The crude excess mortality between the two years was calculated. Data on deaths of Sicilian 90 + years show that, in line with what is known about the different response to infections between the two genders, oldest females are more resilient to COVID-19 than males. Moreover, centenarians born before 1919, but not "younger centenarians", are resilient to COVID-19. This latter datum should be related to the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, although the mechanisms involved are not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calogero Caruso
- grid.10776.370000 0004 1762 5517Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- grid.10776.370000 0004 1762 5517Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Aiello
- grid.10776.370000 0004 1762 5517Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Calabrò
- grid.10776.370000 0004 1762 5517Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- grid.10776.370000 0004 1762 5517Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- grid.10776.370000 0004 1762 5517Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Kunizheva SS, Volobaev VP, Plotnikova MY, Kupriyanova DA, Kuznetsova IL, Tyazhelova TV, Rogaev EI. Current Trends and Approaches to the Search for Genetic Determinants of Aging and Longevity. RUSS J GENET+ 2022; 58:1427-1443. [PMID: 36590179 PMCID: PMC9794410 DOI: 10.1134/s1022795422120067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a natural process of extinction of the body and the main aspect that determines the life expectancy for individuals who have survived to the post-reproductive period. The process of aging is accompanied by certain physiological, immune, and metabolic changes in the body, as well as the development of age-related diseases. The contribution of genetic factors to human life expectancy is estimated at about 25-30%. Despite the success in identifying genes and metabolic pathways that may be involved in the life extension process in model organisms, the key question remains to what extent these data can be extrapolated to humans, for example, because of the complexity of its biological and sociocultural systems, as well as possible species differences in life expectancy and causes of mortality. New molecular genetic methods have significantly expanded the possibilities for searching for genetic factors of human life expectancy and identifying metabolic pathways of aging, the interaction of genes and transcription factors, the regulation of gene expression at the level of transcription, and epigenetic modifications. The review presents the latest research and current strategies for studying the genetic basis of human aging and longevity: the study of individual candidate genes in genetic population studies, variations identified by the GWAS method, immunogenetic differences in aging, and genomic studies to identify factors of "healthy aging." Understanding the mechanisms of the interaction between factors affecting the life expectancy and the possibility of their regulation can become the basis for developing comprehensive measures to achieve healthy longevity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1134/S1022795422120067.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. S. Kunizheva
- Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - V. P. Volobaev
- Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - M. Yu. Plotnikova
- Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - D. A. Kupriyanova
- Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - I. L. Kuznetsova
- Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - T. V. Tyazhelova
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - E. I. Rogaev
- Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 01545 Shrewsbury, MA United States
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6
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Bravaccini S, Nicolini F, Zanoni M, Gaimari A, Cerchione C, Maltoni R, Pirini F, Mazzotti L, Cortesi M, Ravaioli S, Tumedei MM, Mazza M. Why the complications of COVID-19 patients differ in elderly and young cancer patients. Transl Oncol 2022; 26:101541. [PMID: 36119944 PMCID: PMC9464575 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Zhang et al. reported the impact of different risk factors and comorbidities in COVID-19 lethality. The authors observed that the odds of dying by COVID-19 in cancer patients decrease with age and cancer becomes a non-significant factor above 80 years. We speculate on the possible causes for the different COVID-19 severity between elderly and young patients. Several factors that can have a different impact on young and elderly have to be taken into account such as inflammation, microbiota and anti-cancer therapies. Inflammaging is a complex process that characterizes elderly people and it is believed to contribute to the severity of COVID-19 associated with old age. Cancer and related therapies may alter the process of inflammaging both quantitatively and qualitatively and could impact on COVID-19 severity. Moreover, therapies used in elderly cancer patients are usually different from that used for young people where the presence of comorbidities and the mechanisms of action of the different drugs both on the susceptibility genes and on other factors have to be considered. Sex hormones and anti-estrogen therapies affect significantly gene expression in target cells thereby modulating the susceptibility of the tissues to SARS-CoV-2 infection and as a consequence the extent of the symptoms. The concentration of sex hormones varies with aging and among sexes. Interestingly, recent evidences, further corroborate the hypothesis that also sex hormones or anti-estrogen therapies impact the susceptibility to COVID-19 and its severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bravaccini
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Fabio Nicolini
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Michele Zanoni
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Anna Gaimari
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Claudio Cerchione
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Roberta Maltoni
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Francesca Pirini
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Lucia Mazzotti
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Michela Cortesi
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Sara Ravaioli
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Mazza
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
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Burtscher J, Millet GP, Leitner B, Burtscher M. Health Benefits of Residence at Moderate Altitude Do Not Reduce COVID-19 Mortality. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16074. [PMID: 36498148 PMCID: PMC9736022 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Moderate altitude (1000−2000 m above sea level) residence is emerging as a protective factor from the mortality of various causes, including of cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, mortality from certain respiratory diseases is higher at these altitudes than in lowlands. These divergent outcomes could indicate either beneficial or detrimental effects of altitude on the mortality of COVID-19 that primarily infects the respiratory tract but results in multi-organ damage. Previous epidemiological data indeed suggest divergent outcomes of moderate to high altitude residence in various countries. Confounding factors, such as variations in the access to clinical facilities or selection biases of investigated populations, may contribute to the equivocation of these observations. We interrogated a dataset of the complete population of an Alpine country in the center of Europe with relatively similar testing and clinical support conditions across altitude-levels of residence (up to around 2000 m) to assess altitude-dependent mortality from COVID-19 throughout 2020. While a reduced all-cause mortality was confirmed for people living higher than 1000 m, no differences in the mortality from COVID-19 between the lowest and the highest altitude regions were observed for the overall population and the population older than 60 years as well. Conversely, COVID-19 mortality seems to have been reduced in the very old (>85 years) women at moderate altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Burtscher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gregoire P. Millet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Leitner
- Directorate Population, Statistics Austria, A-1110 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Burtscher
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Austrian Society for Alpine and High-Altitude Medicine, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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8
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Hagiya H, Hikita T, Habu T, Asada M, Yorifuji T, Toyooka S, Otsuka F, Nakayama M. Poor vaccine responsiveness towards third-dose mRNA vaccine of COVID-19 in Japanese older people. J Infect 2022; 85:436-480. [PMID: 35835411 PMCID: PMC9272660 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hideharu Hagiya
- Department of General Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama, Japan.
| | - Takao Hikita
- Office of Innovative Medicine, Organization for Research Strategy and Development, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan; Laboratory for Cell Polarity and Organogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Tomohiro Habu
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masaki Asada
- Departments of Medical Education, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Japan
| | - Takashi Yorifuji
- Department of Epidemiology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shinichi Toyooka
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Fumio Otsuka
- Department of General Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masanori Nakayama
- Office of Innovative Medicine, Organization for Research Strategy and Development, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan; Laboratory for Cell Polarity and Organogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany.
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9
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Collins E, Galipeau Y, Arnold C, Bosveld C, Heiskanen A, Keeshan A, Nakka K, Shir-Mohammadi K, St-Denis-Bissonnette F, Tamblyn L, Vranjkovic A, Wood LC, Booth R, Buchan CA, Crawley AM, Little J, McGuinty M, Saginur R, Langlois MA, Cooper CL. Cohort profile: Stop the Spread Ottawa (SSO) -a community-based prospective cohort study on antibody responses, antibody neutralisation efficiency and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e062187. [PMID: 36691221 PMCID: PMC9461086 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the robustness and longevity of SARS-CoV-2 immune responses conferred by natural infection and vaccination among priority populations such as immunocompromised individuals and people with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in a prospective cohort study (Stop the Spread Ottawa-SSO) in adults living in the Ottawa region. In this paper, we describe the study design, ongoing data collection and baseline characteristics of participants. PARTICIPANTS Since October 2020, participants who tested positive for COVID-19 (convalescents) or at high risk of exposure to the virus (under surveillance) have provided monthly blood and saliva samples over a 10-month period. As of 2 November 2021, 1026 adults had completed the baseline survey and 976 had attended baseline bloodwork. 300 participants will continue to provide bimonthly blood samples for 24 additional months (ie, total follow-up of 34 months). FINDINGS TO DATE The median age of the baseline sample was 44 (IQR 23, range: 18-79) and just over two-thirds (n=688; 67.1%) were female. 255 participants (24.9%) had a history of COVID-19 infection confirmed by PCR and/or serology. Over 600 participants (60.0%) work in high-risk occupations (eg, healthcare, teaching and transportation). 108 participants (10.5%) reported immunocompromising conditions or treatments at baseline (eg, cancer, HIV, other immune deficiency, and/or use of immunosuppressants). FUTURE PLANS SSO continues to yield rich research potential, given the collection of pre-vaccine baseline data and samples from the majority of participants, recruitment of diverse subgroups of interest, and a high level of participant retention and compliance with monthly sampling. The 24-month study extension will maximise opportunities to track SARS-CoV-2 immunity and vaccine efficacy, detect and characterise emerging variants, and compare subgroup humoral and cellular response robustness and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Collins
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yannick Galipeau
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Corey Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cameron Bosveld
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aliisa Heiskanen
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexa Keeshan
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kiran Nakka
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Khatereh Shir-Mohammadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Laura Tamblyn
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Agatha Vranjkovic
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah C Wood
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ronald Booth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Immunology Section, Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Arianne Buchan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela M Crawley
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network (CoVaRR-Net), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julian Little
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network (CoVaRR-Net), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- The Knowledge Synthesis and Application Unit (KSAU), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michaeline McGuinty
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Raphael Saginur
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board (OHSN-REB), Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc-André Langlois
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network (CoVaRR-Net), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Curtis L Cooper
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network (CoVaRR-Net), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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10
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Caruso C, Ligotti ME, Accardi G, Aiello A, Candore G. An immunologist's guide to immunosenescence and its treatment. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2022; 18:961-981. [PMID: 35876758 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2022.2106217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : The ageing process causes several changes in the immune system, although immune ageing is strongly influenced by individual immunological history, as well as genetic and environmental factors leading to inter-individual variability. AREAS COVERED : Here, we focused on the biological and clinical meaning of immunosenescence. Data on SARS-CoV-2 and Yellow Fever vaccine have demonstrated the clinical relevance of immunosenescence, while inconsistent results, obtained from longitudinal studies aimed at looking for immune risk phenotypes, have revealed that the immunosenescence process is highly context-dependent. Large projects have allowed the delineation of the drivers of immune system variance, including genetic and environmental factors, sex, smoking, and co-habitation. Therefore, it is difficult to identify the interventions that can be envisaged to maintain or improve immune function in older people. That suggests that drug treatment of immunosenescence should require personalized intervention. Regarding this, we discussed the role of changes in lifestyle as a potential therapeutic approach. EXPERT OPINION : Our review points out that age is only part of the problem of immunosenescence. Everyone ages differently because he/she is unique in genetics and experience of life and this applies even more to the immune system (immunobiography). Finally, the present review shows how appreciable results in the modification of immunosenescence biomarkers can be achieved with lifestyle modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calogero Caruso
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratorio di Immunopatologia e Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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11
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Aiello A, Accardi G, Aprile S, Caldarella R, Carru C, Ciaccio M, De Vivo I, Gambino CM, Ligotti ME, Vasto S, Zinellu A, Caruso C, Bono F, Candore G. Age and Gender-related Variations of Molecular and Phenotypic Parameters in A Cohort of Sicilian Population: from Young to Centenarians. Aging Dis 2021; 12:1773-1793. [PMID: 34631220 PMCID: PMC8460304 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
People are living longer, but lifespan increase does not coincide with a boost in health-span. Thus, improving the quality of life of older people is a priority. Centenarians reach extreme longevity in a relatively good health status, escaping or delaying fatal or strongly invalidating diseases. Therefore, studying processes involved in longevity is important to explain the biological mechanisms of health and well-being, since knowledge born from this approach can provide valuable information on how to slow aging. We performed the present study in a well characterized very homogeneous sample of 173 people from Western Sicily, to update existing literature on some phenotypic aspects of aging and longevity and to propose a range of values for older people. We classified 5 age groups, from young adults to centenarians, to understand the age and gender-related variations of the different parameters under study. We collected anamnestic data and performed anthropometric, bioimpedance, molecular, haematological, oxidative, and hematochemical tests, adopting a multidimensional analysis approach. An important evidence of the present study is that there are differences related to both age and gender in several biomarkers. Indeed, gender differences seem to be still poorly considered and inadequately investigated in aging as well as in other medical studies. Moreover, we often observed comparable parameters between young and centenarians rather than non-agenarians and centenarians, hypothesizing a sort of slowdown, almost followed by a reversal trend, in the decay of systemic deterioration. The study of centenarians provides important indications on how to slow aging, with benefits for those who are more vulnerable to disease and disability. The identification of the factors that predispose to a long and healthy life is of enormous interest for translational medicine in an aging world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Aiello
- 1Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- 1Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Aprile
- 1Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,2Unit of Transfusion Medicine, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Agrigento, Italy
| | - Rosalia Caldarella
- 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, "P. Giaccone" University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ciriaco Carru
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Marcello Ciaccio
- 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, "P. Giaccone" University Hospital, Palermo, Italy.,5Unit of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Immaculata De Vivo
- 6Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caterina Maria Gambino
- 5Unit of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- 1Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sonya Vasto
- 7Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Zinellu
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Calogero Caruso
- 1Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippa Bono
- 8Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- 1Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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12
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Ligotti ME, Pojero F, Accardi G, Aiello A, Caruso C, Duro G, Candore G. Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, the Immunological Key Words of Severe COVID-19. Is There a Role for Stem Cell Transplantation? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:725606. [PMID: 34595175 PMCID: PMC8477205 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.725606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The outcomes of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vary depending on the age, health status and sex of an individual, ranging from asymptomatic to lethal. From an immunologic viewpoint, the final severe lung damage observed in COVID-19 should be caused by cytokine storm, driven mainly by interleukin-6 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, which immunopathogenic status precedes this "cytokine storm" and why the male older population is more severely affected, are currently unanswered questions. The aging of the immune system, i.e., immunosenescence, closely associated with a low-grade inflammatory status called "inflammageing," should play a key role. The remodeling of both innate and adaptive immune response observed with aging can partly explain the age gradient in severity and mortality of COVID-19. This review discusses how aging impacts the immune response to the virus, focusing on possible strategies to rejuvenate the immune system with stem cell-based therapies. Indeed, due to immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a worth-considering option against COVID-19 adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fanny Pojero
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- International Society on Aging and Disease, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Giovanni Duro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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13
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Ferradini V, Vacca D, Belmonte B, Mango R, Scola L, Novelli G, Balistreri CR, Sangiuolo F. Genetic and Epigenetic Factors of Takotsubo Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9875. [PMID: 34576040 PMCID: PMC8471495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), recognized as stress's cardiomyopathy, or as left ventricular apical balloon syndrome in recent years, is a rare pathology, described for the first time by Japanese researchers in 1990. TTS is characterized by an interindividual heterogeneity in onset and progression, and by strong predominance in postmenopausal women. The clear causes of these TTS features are uncertain, given the limited understanding of this intriguing syndrome until now. However, the increasing frequency of TTS cases in recent years, and particularly correlated to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, leads us to the imperative necessity both of a complete knowledge of TTS pathophysiology for identifying biomarkers facilitating its management, and of targets for specific and effective treatments. The suspect of a genetic basis in TTS pathogenesis has been evidenced. Accordingly, familial forms of TTS have been described. However, a systematic and comprehensive characterization of the genetic or epigenetic factors significantly associated with TTS is lacking. Thus, we here conducted a systematic review of the literature before June 2021, to contribute to the identification of potential genetic and epigenetic factors associated with TTS. Interesting data were evidenced, but few in number and with diverse limitations. Consequently, we concluded that further work is needed to address the gaps discussed, and clear evidence may arrive by using multi-omics investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ferradini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Vacca
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Ruggiero Mango
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Policlinico Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Scola
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Sangiuolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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14
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Kordowitzki P. Centenarians and COVID-19: Is There a Link between Longevity and Better Immune Defense? Gerontology 2021; 68:556-557. [PMID: 34510046 PMCID: PMC8450859 DOI: 10.1159/000518905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Kordowitzki
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.,Institute for Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
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15
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Ciaglia E, Lopardo V, Montella F, Sellitto C, Manzo V, De Bellis E, Iannaccone T, Franci G, Zannella C, Pagliano P, Di Pietro P, Carrizzo A, Vecchione C, Conti V, Filippelli A, Puca AA. BPIFB4 Circulating Levels and Its Prognostic Relevance in COVID-19. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 76:1775-1783. [PMID: 34396395 PMCID: PMC8436991 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging and comorbidities make individuals at greatest risk of COVID-19 serious illness and mortality due to senescence-related events and deleterious inflammation. Long-living individuals (LLIs) are less susceptible to inflammation and develop more resiliency to COVID-19. As demonstrated, LLIs are characterized by high circulating levels of BPIFB4, a protein involved in homeostatic response to inflammatory stimuli. Also, LLIs show enrichment of homozygous genotype for the minor alleles of a 4 missense single-nucleotide polymorphism haplotype (longevity-associated variant [LAV]) in BPIFB4, able to counteract progression of diseases in animal models. Thus, the present study was designed to assess the presence and significance of BPIFB4 level in COVID-19 patients and the potential therapeutic use of LAV-BPIFB4 in fighting COVID-19. BPIFB4 plasma concentration was found significantly higher in LLIs compared to old healthy controls while it significantly decreased in 64 COVID-19 patients. Further, the drop in BPIFB4 values correlated with disease severity. Accordingly to the LAV-BPIFB4 immunomodulatory role, while lysates of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells induced an inflammatory response in healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro, the co-treatment with recombinant protein (rh) LAV-BPIFB4 resulted in a protective and self-limiting reaction, culminating in the downregulation of CD69 activating-marker for T cells (both TCD4+ and TCD8+) and in MCP-1 reduction. On the contrary, rhLAV-BPIFB4 induced a rapid increase in IL-18 and IL-1b levels, shown largely protective during the early stages of the virus infection. This evidence, along with the ability of rhLAV-BPIFB4 to counteract the cytotoxicity induced by SARS-CoV-2 lysate in selected target cell lines, corroborates BPIFB4 prognostic value and open new therapeutic possibilities in more vulnerable people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ciaglia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Valentina Lopardo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesco Montella
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Carmine Sellitto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Manzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy
| | - Emanuela De Bellis
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy
| | - Teresa Iannaccone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Franci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pagliano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy
| | - Paola Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Albino Carrizzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of AngioCardioNeurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Carmine Vecchione
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of AngioCardioNeurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Valeria Conti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy
| | - Amelia Filippelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy
| | - Annibale Alessandro Puca
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana," University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Cardiovascular Research Unit, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
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16
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Ligotti ME, Aiello A, Accardi G, Aprile S, Bonura F, Bulati M, Gervasi F, Giammanco GM, Pojero F, Zareian N, Caruso C, Farzaneh F, Candore G. Analysis of T and NK cell subsets in the Sicilian population from young to supercentenarian: The role of age and gender. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:198-212. [PMID: 33866541 PMCID: PMC8274165 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ageing dramatically affects number and function of both innate and adaptive arms of immune system, particularly T cell subsets, contributing to reduced vaccination efficacy, decreased resistance to infections and increased prevalence of cancer in older people. In the present paper, we analysed the age-related changes in the absolute number of lymphocytes in 214 Sicilian subjects, and in the percentages of T and natural killer (NK) cells in a subcohort of donors. We compared these results with the immunophenotype of the oldest living Italian supercentenarian (aged 111 years). The results were also sorted by gender. The correlation between number/percentage of cells and age in all individuals. and separately in males and females, was examined using a simple linear regression analysis. We did not record the increase in the rate of inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio, frequently reported as being associated with ageing in literature. Our observation was the direct consequence of a flat average trend of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell percentages in ageing donors, even when gender differences were included. Our results also suggest that CD4+ and CD8+ subsets are not affected equally by age comparing females with males, and we speculated that gender may affect the response to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The supercentenarian showed a unique immunophenotypic signature regarding the relative percentages of her T cell subsets, with CD4+ and CD8+ T cell percentages and CD4+ naive T cell values in line with those recorded for the octogenarian subjects. This suggests that the supercentenarian has a naive 'younger' T cell profile comparable to that of a >80-year-old female.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Emanuela Ligotti
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and ImmunosenescenceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced DiagnosticsUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical SciencesKing’s College LondonThe Rayne InstituteLondonUK
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and ImmunosenescenceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced DiagnosticsUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and ImmunosenescenceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced DiagnosticsUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Stefano Aprile
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and ImmunosenescenceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced DiagnosticsUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
- Unit of Transfusion MedicineSan Giovanni di Dio HospitalAgrigentoItaly
| | - Floriana Bonura
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child CareInternal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Microbiology SectionUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Matteo Bulati
- Research DepartmentMediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS ISMETT)PalermoItaly
| | - Francesco Gervasi
- Specialistic Oncology Laboratory UnitARNAS Hospitals CivicoDi Cristina e BenfratelliPalermoItaly
| | - Giovanni M. Giammanco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child CareInternal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Microbiology SectionUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Fanny Pojero
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and ImmunosenescenceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced DiagnosticsUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Nahid Zareian
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical SciencesKing’s College LondonThe Rayne InstituteLondonUK
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and ImmunosenescenceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced DiagnosticsUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Farzin Farzaneh
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical SciencesKing’s College LondonThe Rayne InstituteLondonUK
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and ImmunosenescenceDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced DiagnosticsUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
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17
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Foley MK, Searle SD, Toloue A, Booth R, Falkenham A, Falzarano D, Rubino S, Francis ME, McNeil M, Richardson C, LeBlanc J, Oldford S, Gerdts V, Andrew MK, McNeil SA, Clarke B, Rockwood K, Kelvin DJ, Kelvin AA. Centenarians and extremely old people living with frailty can elicit durable SARS-CoV-2 spike specific IgG antibodies with virus neutralization functions following virus infection as determined by serological study. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 37:100975. [PMID: 34222846 PMCID: PMC8235995 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2) has led to more than 165 million COVID-19 cases and >3.4 million deaths worldwide. Epidemiological analysis has revealed that the risk of developing severe COVID-19 increases with age. Despite a disproportionate number of older individuals and long-term care facilities being affected by SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, very little is understood about the immune responses and development of humoral immunity in the extremely old person after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we conducted a serological study to investigate the development of humoral immunity in centenarians following a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a long-term care facility. METHODS Extreme aged individuals and centenarians who were residents in a long-term care facility and infected with or exposed to SARS-CoV-2 were investigated between April and June 2020 for the development of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Blood samples were collected from positive and bystander individuals 30 and 60 days after original diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Plasma was used to quantify IgG, IgA, and IgM isotypes and subsequent subclasses of antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The function of anti-spike was then assessed by virus neutralization assays against the native SARS-CoV-2 virus. FINDINGS Fifteen long-term care residents were investigated for SARS-CoV-2 infection. All individuals had a Clinical Frailty scale score ≥5 and were of extreme older age or were centenarians. Six women with a median age of 98.8 years tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Anti-spike IgG antibody titers were the highest titers observed in our cohort with all IgG positive individuals having virus neutralization ability. Additionally, 5 out of the 6 positive participants had a robust IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2 response. In all 5, antibodies were detected after 60 days from initial diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K. Foley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Samuel D. Searle
- Divsion of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, England United Kingdom
| | - Ali Toloue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ryan Booth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Alec Falkenham
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Darryl Falzarano
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Salvatore Rubino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Magen E. Francis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Mara McNeil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Christopher Richardson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Jason LeBlanc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
- Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia, Halifax, B3K 6R8 Canada
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Sharon Oldford
- Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia, Halifax, B3K 6R8 Canada
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Melissa K. Andrew
- Divsion of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Shelly A. McNeil
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Barry Clarke
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Kenneth Rockwood
- Divsion of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - David J. Kelvin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
- Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia, Halifax, B3K 6R8 Canada
- Laboratory of Immunity, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Rd, Jinping, Shantou, China
| | - Alyson A. Kelvin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
- Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia, Halifax, B3K 6R8 Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
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18
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Pojero F, Candore G, Caruso C, Di Bona D, Groneberg DA, Ligotti ME, Accardi G, Aiello A. The Role of Immunogenetics in COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2636. [PMID: 33807915 PMCID: PMC7961811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is induced by SARS-CoV-2 and may arise as a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from an asymptomatic condition to a life-threatening disease associated with cytokine storm, multiorgan and respiratory failure. The molecular mechanism behind such variability is still under investigation. Several pieces of experimental evidence suggest that genetic variants influencing the onset, maintenance and resolution of the immune response may be fundamental in predicting the evolution of the disease. The identification of genetic variants behind immune system reactivity and function in COVID-19 may help in the elaboration of personalized therapeutic strategies. In the frenetic look for universally shared treatment plans, those genetic variants that are common to other diseases/models may also help in addressing future research in terms of drug repurposing. In this paper, we discuss the most recent updates about the role of immunogenetics in determining the susceptibility to and the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We propose a narrative review of available data, speculating about lessons that we have learnt from other viral infections and immunosenescence, and discussing what kind of aspects of research should be deepened in order to improve our knowledge of how host genetic variability impacts the outcome for COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Pojero
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (F.P.); (G.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (F.P.); (G.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Calogero Caruso
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (F.P.); (G.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Danilo Di Bona
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - David A. Groneberg
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Mattia E. Ligotti
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (F.P.); (G.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Giulia Accardi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (F.P.); (G.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Anna Aiello
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Immunosenescence, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (F.P.); (G.C.); (M.E.L.); (G.A.)
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