Published in

Springer Verlag, AGE, 5(35), p. 2009-2024, 2012

DOI: 10.1007/s11357-012-9488-5

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

A novel B cell population revealed by a CD38/CD24 gating strategy: CD38−CD24− B cells in centenarian offspring and elderly people

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

The B cell arm of adaptive immunity undergoes significant modifications with age. Elderly people are characterized by impaired B cell responses reflected in a reduced ability to effectively respond against viruses and bacteria. Alterations of immunity with advancing age (immunosenescence) have been widely studied in centenarians who are considered a good example of successful aging. In recent years, attention has shifted to centenarian offspring (CO) as a model of people genetically advantaged for healthy aging and longevity. Here, we describe the preliminary characterization of a proposed new population of memory B cells, defined as CD19+CD38−CD24−, which we find at higher frequencies in the elderly but less so in CO than healthy age-matched random controls. In addition, we found a decreased expression of RP105 (CD180), a toll-like receptor-associated molecule, on these cells. CD180 downregulation may potentially be a marker of immunosenescence. Moreover, we show that these CD19+CD38−CD24− B cells produce TNF and hypothesize that their observed expansion in the elderly might contribute to the increased inflammatory status sometimes designated “inflamm-aging.”