Open AccessLifespan‐extending caloric restriction or m TOR inhibition impair adaptive immunity of old mice by distinct mechanisms
Author(s) -
Goldberg Emily L.,
RomeroAleshire Melissa J.,
Renkema Kristin R.,
Ventevogel Melissa S.,
Chew Wade M.,
Uhrlaub Jennifer L.,
Smithey Megan J.,
Limesand Kirsten H.,
Sempowski Gregory D.,
Brooks Heddwen L.,
NikolichŽugich Janko
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
aging cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1474-9726
pISSN - 1474-9718
DOI - 10.1111/acel.12280
Subject(s) - biology , immune system , calorie restriction , immunology , immunity , population , immunosenescence , acquired immune system , medicine , endocrinology , environmental health
Summary Aging of the world population and a concomitant increase in age‐related diseases and disabilities mandates the search for strategies to increase healthspan, the length of time an individual lives healthy and productively. Due to the age‐related decline of the immune system, infectious diseases remain among the top 5–10 causes of mortality and morbidity in the elderly, and improving immune function during aging remains an important aspect of healthspan extension. Calorie restriction ( CR ) and more recently rapamycin (rapa) feeding have both been used to extend lifespan in mice. Preciously few studies have actually investigated the impact of each of these interventions upon in vivo immune defense against relevant microbial challenge in old organisms. We tested how rapa and CR each impacted the immune system in adult and old mice. We report that each intervention differentially altered T‐cell development in the thymus, peripheral T‐cell maintenance, T‐cell function and host survival after West Nile virus infection, inducing distinct but deleterious consequences to the aging immune system. We conclude that neither rapa feeding nor CR , in the current form/administration regimen, may be optimal strategies for extending healthy immune function and, with it, lifespan.