1. Lymphopenia-Driven Homeostatic Regulation of Naive T Cells in Elderly and Thymectomized Young Adults.
- Author
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Sauce, Delphine, Larsen, Martin, Fastenackels, Solène, Roux, Antoine, Gorochov, Guy, Katlama, Christine, Sidi, Daniel, Sibony-Prat, Joyce, and Appay, Victor
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LYMPHOPENIA , *HOMEOSTASIS , *T cells , *THYMECTOMY , *DISEASES in young adults , *OLDER patients , *IMMUNE response - Abstract
Reduced thymopoiesis and continuous mobilization of naive T cells into the effector-memory pool can lead to severe alterations of the naive T cell compartment. However, maintenance of the naive T cell population is essential to mount effective immune responses. Evidence of homeostatic regulation of naive T cells is currently debated in animal models. In humans, the situation remains unresolved, in particular with advanced age. In this study, we analyzed the CD4+ and CD8+ naive T cell compartments from elderly, young adults thymectomized during early childhood, and HIV-l-infected patients, which are characterized by T lymphocytopenia. We show a direct association between increased turnover and decreased frequency of naive T cells. Moreover, the IL-7-induced pathway was fully functional in naive T cells from elderly and young adults thymectomized during early childhood, who are characterized by elevated IL-7 plasma levels. Our findings support the establishment of homeostatic regulation of naive T cell proliferation in humans. This regulation is particularly active in lymphopenic hosts, such as elderly and thymec-tomized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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