Abstract
BackgroundAging of the immune system, known as immunosenescence, is associated with profound changes in both innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection and a decreased ability to respond to vaccination. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of age and menopause on the expression of 22 different cytokines/chemokines in both plasma and cervical lavage samples from female sex-worker cohort from Nairobi, Kenya (age range 20–65).ResultsCytokine/chemokine levels were measured using a Miliplex multiplex assay (Millipore). We found that age positively correlated with MCP-1 (p = 0.0002) and IP-10 (p = 0.03) systemic cytokine expression, and that women over 50 expressed the highest levels of these cytokines, but also had elevated expression of MIG (ANOVA p = 0.0096) and MIP-3β(ANOVA p = 0.0434). We also found that IL-8 (p = 0.047) and sCD40L (p = 0.01) systemic expression negatively correlated with age. Further, MIG (p = 0.0081) and MCP-1 (p = 0.0157) were present at higher levels in post-menopausal women suggesting a potential estrogen dependant systemic regulation of these cytokines. In cervical lavage samples, age did not directly correlate with the expression of any of the tested cytokines/chemokines, however sIL-2Rα (ANOVA p = 0.0170) and IL-15 (ANOVA p = 0.0251)were significantly higher in women over 50. Menopause was shown to have a more profound effect on cytokine expression in the cervical mucosa with MIG (p = 0.0256), MIP-3α (p = 0.0245), IL-1β (p = 0.0261), IL-6 (p = 0.0462), IL-8 (p = 0.007), IP-10 (p = 0.0357) and MCP-1 (p = 0.0427) all significantly under-expressed in post-menopausal women.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that aging and menopause-associated hormonal changes are associated with significant changes in systemic and mucosal cytokine/chemokine expression, which may have implications for the age-related decline in the ability to fight against infections.
Highlights
Aging of the immune system, known as immunosenescence, is associated with profound changes in both innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection and a decreased ability to respond to vaccination
Aging has been associated with higher number of T regulatory (Treg) cells [5,18,19,20,21], a decline in B cell production and humoral immunity [21,22,23,24], chronic immune activation [23,25,26] and a shift from Th1 [Interleukin (IL-)2, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)] to a Th2-like cytokine response (IL-4, IL-6, IL10) [26,27]
Because other sexually transmitted diseases can greatly influence the expression of cytokines/chemokines at the systemic and mucosal level, all participants who tested positive for the presence of bacterial vaginosis, Nisseria gonorrhoeae, and/or Chlamydia were excluded from the analysis (n = 26)
Summary
Aging of the immune system, known as immunosenescence, is associated with profound changes in both innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection and a decreased ability to respond to vaccination. Aging has been associated with higher number of T regulatory (Treg) cells [5,18,19,20,21], a decline in B cell production and humoral immunity [21,22,23,24], chronic immune activation [23,25,26] and a shift from Th1 [Interleukin (IL-), Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)] to a Th2-like cytokine response (IL-4, IL-6, IL10) [26,27] All these data suggest that the ability of an older individual to respond appropriately to an immunological challenge is compromised thorough variety of mechanisms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
