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Energy Restriction Results in Phenotypic and Functional Alterations to NK Cells
Author(s) -
Clinthorne Jonathan Frederick,
Gardner Elizabeth
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.127.8
Subject(s) - granzyme b , biology , immunology , interleukin 21 , innate lymphoid cell , innate immune system , immune system , interleukin 12 , phenotype , t cell , cytotoxic t cell , in vitro , biochemistry , gene
Energy restriction (ER) is a dietary intervention shown to increase lifespan and reduce the incidence of spontaneous tumors in rodents. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes responsible for tumor surveillance and their activity is altered by ER. We have previously shown NK cell function is reduced in influenza infected ER mice, prompting us to investigate whether ER influences NK cell homeostasis independent of influenza infection. Here, we show 40% ER of young mice results in phenotypic and functional changes to NK cells compared to AL mice. Splenic NK cells from ER mice were analyzed for various cell surface markers associated with NK cell maturation and development using flow cytometry. NK cells from ER mice were not only reduced in number and percentage compared to AL mice; but also expressed significantly less CD11b, CD43, and KLRG1, markers normally associated with mature NK cells. We observed no impairment in the ability of NK cells from ER mice to produce interferon‐γ, but found granzyme B production significantly reduced compared to NK cells from AL mice. Phenotypic and functional changes to NK cells observed in ER mice provide insight into how ER may compromise the innate immune response to intact pathogens. Supported by R01AG034949 (E.G.) Grant Funding Source : NIA