A novel cytomegalovirus-induced regulatory-type T-cell subset increases in size during older life and links virus-specific immunity to vascular pathology.
J Infect Dis
; 209(9): 1382-92, 2014 May 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24203779
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection directly targets vascular endothelium and smooth muscle and at older ages is associated with accelerated vascular pathology and mortality. CMV-specific cellular immunity might directly contribute to this process.METHODS:
Conventional ex vivo activation-induced T-cell responses to 19 dominant CMV antigens, along with CMV-specific inducible regulatory-type CD4+ T cells (iTregs), were measured in healthy older people, using a novel protocol that included classic Treg markers alongside the activation marker CD134. Measurements were correlated with diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial blood pressure, a surrogate marker for arterial stiffness.RESULTS:
CMV-specific iTregs recognized the same antigens as conventional CD4+ T cells and were significantly more frequent at older ages. They suppressed antigen-specific and nonspecific proliferation and in large part expressed Foxp3. Frequencies of CMV-specific iTregs and CD8+ T cells (summated response) were significantly associated with diastolic and mean arterial pressures. Confounders, including age, body mass index, smoking, antihypertensive medication use, or C-reactive protein levels, did not explain these observations.CONCLUSIONS:
A novel CMV-induced regulatory-type CD4+ T-cell subset is readily detectable in CMV-infected people and, like the aggregate CD8+ T-cell response to the most dominant CMV antigens, is quantitatively associated with arterial stiffness in older life. Whereas CD8+ effector T cells might directly cause vascular injury, iTregs may attenuate this response.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças Vasculares
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Subpopulações de Linfócitos T
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Linfócitos T Reguladores
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Infecções por Citomegalovirus
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Citomegalovirus
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article