Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-27DOI: 10.1111/acel.14419
Akilavalli Narasimhan, Seok Hong Min, Laura L. Johnson, Heidi Roehrich, William Cho, Tracy K. Her, Caeden Windschitl, Ryan D. O'Kelly, Luise Angelini, Matthew J. Yousefzadeh, Linda K. McLoon, William W. Hauswirth, Paul D. Robbins, Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, Laura J. Niedernhofer
{"title":"The Ercc1−/Δ mouse model of XFE progeroid syndrome undergoes accelerated retinal degeneration","authors":"Akilavalli Narasimhan, Seok Hong Min, Laura L. Johnson, Heidi Roehrich, William Cho, Tracy K. Her, Caeden Windschitl, Ryan D. O'Kelly, Luise Angelini, Matthew J. Yousefzadeh, Linda K. McLoon, William W. Hauswirth, Paul D. Robbins, Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, Laura J. Niedernhofer","doi":"10.1111/acel.14419","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14419","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision loss in older adults. AMD is caused by degeneration in the macula of the retina. The retina is the highest oxygen consuming tissue in our body and is prone to oxidative damage. DNA damage is one hallmark of aging implicated in loss of organ function. Genome instability has been associated with several disorders that result in premature vision loss. We hypothesized that endogenous DNA damage plays a causal role in age-related retinal changes. To address this, we used a genetic model of systemic depletion of expression of the DNA repair enzyme ERCC1-XPF. The neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from <i>Ercc1</i><sup><i>−/Δ</i></sup> mice, which models a human progeroid syndrome, were compared to age-matched wild-type (WT) and old WT mice. By 3-months-of age, <i>Ercc1</i><sup><i>−/Δ</i></sup> mice presented abnormal optokinetic and electroretinogram responses consistent with photoreceptor dysfunction and visual impairment. <i>Ercc1</i><sup><i>−/Δ</i></sup> mice shared many ocular characteristics with old WT mice including morphological changes, elevated DNA damage markers (γ-H2AX and 53BP1), and increased cellular senescence in the neural retinal and RPE, as well as pathological angiogenesis. The RPE is essential for the metabolic health of photoreceptors. The RPE from <i>Ercc1</i><sup><i>−/Δ</i></sup> mice displayed mitochondrial dysfunction causing a compensatory glycolytic shift, a characteristic feature of aging RPE. Hence, our study suggests spontaneous endogenous DNA damage promotes the hallmarks of age-related retinal degeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acel.14419","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142737962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-26DOI: 10.1111/acel.14420
June-Hyun Jeong, Dong Kyu Kim, Sunwoo Chung, Jong Won Han, Jihui Han, Inhee Mook-Jung
{"title":"Long-term exposure to excessive norepinephrine in the brain induces tau aggregation, neuronal death, and cognitive deficits in early tau transgenic mice","authors":"June-Hyun Jeong, Dong Kyu Kim, Sunwoo Chung, Jong Won Han, Jihui Han, Inhee Mook-Jung","doi":"10.1111/acel.14420","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14420","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by the presence of intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are primarily composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The locus coeruleus (LC), the brain's main source of norepinephrine (NE), is one of the earliest regions to develop NFTs and experience neurodegeneration in AD. While LC-derived NE plays beneficial roles in cognition, emotion, locomotion, and the sleep–wake cycle, its impact on tau pathology is unclear. To explore this relationship, we administered intraperitoneal injections of either N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP4), a selective neurotoxin for noradrenergic neurons, or reboxetine (RBX), a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, to decrease or increase NE levels, respectively, in early tau transgenic mice expressing mutant human P301L tau (ADLP<sup>Tau</sup>) for two months. Only the RBX-treated mice exhibited cognitive deficits, as evidenced by their performance in the Y-maze, novel object recognition, and contextual fear conditioning tests. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in the LC and hippocampus of the RBX-treated mice. Furthermore, neuronal apoptosis was observed in the hippocampal CA1 region of these mice. Western blotting showed that RBX injections led to the overactivation of tau kinases PKA and GSK3β, resulting in hyperphosphorylated tau, neuronal loss, and cognitive impairments. Consistent with these findings, human brain organoids exposed to higher NE concentrations also displayed elevated hyperphosphorylated tau and increased activity of the same tau kinases. These findings suggest that excessive NE exposure accelerates tau pathology by overactivating the tau kinases. Thus, modulating NE levels in the brain via the LC-NE system could be a potential therapeutic strategy for tau-related AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acel.14420","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142724323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-24DOI: 10.1111/acel.14421
Maryam Tilton, Megan Weivoda, Maria Astudillo Potes, Anne Gingery, Alan Y. Liu, Tamara Tchkonia, Lichun Lu, James L. Kirkland
{"title":"Stiffening symphony of aging: Biophysical changes in senescent osteocytes","authors":"Maryam Tilton, Megan Weivoda, Maria Astudillo Potes, Anne Gingery, Alan Y. Liu, Tamara Tchkonia, Lichun Lu, James L. Kirkland","doi":"10.1111/acel.14421","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14421","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Senescent osteocytes are key contributors to age-related bone loss and fragility; however, the impact of mechanobiological changes in these cells remains poorly understood. This study provides a novel analysis of these changes in primary osteocytes following irradiation-induced senescence. By integrating subcellular mechanical measurements with gene expression analyses, we identified significant, time-dependent alterations in the mechanical properties of senescent bone cells. Increases in classical markers such as SA-β-Gal activity and <i>p16</i><sup><i>Ink4a</i></sup> expression levels confirmed the senescence status post-irradiation. Our key findings include a time-dependent increase in cytoskeletal Young's modulus and altered viscoelastic properties of the plasma membrane, affecting the contractility of primary osteocytes. Additionally, we observed a significant increase in Sclerostin (<i>Sost</i>) expression 21 days post-irradiation. These biophysical changes may impair osteocyte mechanosensation and mechanotransduction, contributing to bone fragility. This is the first study to time-map senescence-associated mechanical changes in the osteocyte cytoskeleton. Our findings highlight the potential of biophysical markers as indicators of cellular senescence, providing more specificity than traditional, variable biomolecular markers. We believe these results may support biomechanical stimulation as a potential therapeutic strategy to rejuvenate aging osteocytes and enhance bone health.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"23 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11634739/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142708512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-21DOI: 10.1111/acel.14398
Maheedhar Kodali, Leelavathi N. Madhu, Yogish Somayaji, Sahithi Attaluri, Charles Huard, Prashanta Kumar Panda, Goutham Shankar, Shama Rao, Bing Shuai, Jenny J. Gonzalez, Chris Oake, Catherine Hering, Roshni Sara Babu, Sanya Kotian, Ashok K. Shetty
{"title":"Residual microglia following short-term PLX5622 treatment in 5xFAD mice exhibit diminished NLRP3 inflammasome and mTOR signaling, and enhanced autophagy","authors":"Maheedhar Kodali, Leelavathi N. Madhu, Yogish Somayaji, Sahithi Attaluri, Charles Huard, Prashanta Kumar Panda, Goutham Shankar, Shama Rao, Bing Shuai, Jenny J. Gonzalez, Chris Oake, Catherine Hering, Roshni Sara Babu, Sanya Kotian, Ashok K. Shetty","doi":"10.1111/acel.14398","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14398","url":null,"abstract":"<p>While moderately activated microglia in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are pivotal in clearing amyloid beta (Aβ), hyperactivated microglia perpetuate neuroinflammation. Prior investigations reported that the elimination of ~80% of microglia through inhibition of the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) during the advanced stage of neuroinflammation in 5xFamilial AD (5xFAD) mice mitigates synapse loss and neurodegeneration. Furthermore, prolonged CSF1R inhibition diminished the development of parenchymal plaques. Nonetheless, the effects of short-term CSF1R inhibition during the early stages of neuroinflammation on residual microglia are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 10-day CSF1R inhibition using PLX5622 in three-month-old female 5xFAD mice, a stage characterized by the onset of neuroinflammation and minimal Aβ plaques. We observed ~65% microglia depletion in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The leftover microglia displayed a noninflammatory phenotype with reduced NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complexes. Moreover, plaque-associated microglia were reduced with diminished Clec7a expression. Additionally, phosphorylated S6 ribosomal protein and the protein sequestosome 1 analysis suggested reduced mechanistic targets of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and autophagy in microglia and neurons within the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Biochemical assays validated the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, decreased mTOR signaling in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, and enhanced autophagy in the hippocampus. However, short-term CSF1R inhibition did not influence Aβ plaques, soluble Aβ-42 levels, astrocyte hypertrophy, or hippocampal neurogenesis. Thus, short-term CSF1R inhibition during the early stages of neuroinflammation in 5xFAD mice promotes the retention of homeostatic microglia with diminished inflammasome activation and mTOR signaling, alongside increased autophagy.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"24 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acel.14398","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142685535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-20DOI: 10.1111/acel.14412
Alexander Tate Lasher, Kaimao Liu, Michael P Fitch, Liou Y. Sun
{"title":"Isolating the direct effects of growth hormone on lifespan and metabolism in mice","authors":"Alexander Tate Lasher, Kaimao Liu, Michael P Fitch, Liou Y. Sun","doi":"10.1111/acel.14412","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14412","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Prior studies have shown that interrupting the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) signaling axis extends laboratory mouse lifespan, but confounding effects of additional gene or hormone deficiencies that exist in commonly used models of GH/IGF-I interruption obscure the specific effect of GH on longevity. We address this issue by using mice with a specific knockout of the GH gene and show that both males and females on a mixed genetic background display extended lifespans resulting from GH deficiency. Our physiological assessment of these mice revealed that in addition to weighing significantly less and displaying significantly greater body fat (as a percentage of body weight), GH deficient mice display significant impairments in glucose metabolism and preferential fat utilization. These data provide strong evidence that GH deficiency is directly responsible for the altered nutrient utilization and extended lifespan that is commonly observed in mouse models of GH/IGF-I interruption.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"23 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11634705/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142680093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-19DOI: 10.1111/acel.14415
{"title":"Correction to “Higher expression of denervation-responsive genes is negatively associated with muscle volume and performance traits in the study of muscle, mobility, and aging (SOMMA)”","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/acel.14415","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14415","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Lukasiewicz CJ, Tranah GJ, Evans DS, et al. Higher expression of denervation-responsive genes is negatively associated with muscle volume and performance traits in the study of muscle, mobility, and aging (SOMMA). <i>Aging Cell</i>. 2024;23(6):e14115. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.14115</p><p>In Table 1 of the publication, the “Total Summary” value for 400 m walk speed is reported as 1.9 ± 0.2; however, it should be 1.1 ± 0.2.</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"23 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11634712/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142674620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-19DOI: 10.1111/acel.14416
Limeng Liu, Xusheng Hao, Yang Bai, Ye Tian
{"title":"The soil Mycobacterium sp. promotes health and longevity through different bacteria-derived molecules in Caenorhabditis elegans","authors":"Limeng Liu, Xusheng Hao, Yang Bai, Ye Tian","doi":"10.1111/acel.14416","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14416","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Commensal bacteria and their derivatives hold significant promise as therapeutic interventions to delay aging. However, with the diverse nature of the soil microbiome and the long lifespan of mammalian models, the exploration of the influence of soil bacteria and bacteria-derived molecules on host aging remains limited. We conducted a lifespan screening in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> using plant root bacterial collection. Our screening identified 8 genera of bacterial isolates capable of extending lifespan, with <i>Mycobacterium</i> sp. Root265 exhibits the most pronounced effect on lifespan extension. Biochemical analysis revealed two specific molecules derived from Root265, polysaccharides (PSs) and arabinogalactan peptidoglycan (AGP), responsible for lifespan extension via <i>daf-16-</i>dependent and -independent pathways, respectively. Notably, AGP exhibited a unique ability to enhance protein homeostasis effectively. Moreover, polar lipids originating from Root265 were found to extend lifespan while mitigating age-related BAS-1 decline in neurons. Intriguingly, even brief exposures to these bioactive compounds were sufficient to achieve the lifespan-promoting effects. We found diverse beneficial bacteria and anti-aging active compounds from soil bacteria. These findings highlight the potential of exploring bacterial derivatives as therapies targeting aging without the constraints associated with direct microbial interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acel.14416","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142666227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-18DOI: 10.1111/acel.14411
Shi-Wei Ye, Shuang-Di Song, Xi-Juan Liu, Yun Luo, Shi-Qing Cai
{"title":"A small-molecule screen identifies novel aging modulators by targeting 5-HT/DA signaling pathway","authors":"Shi-Wei Ye, Shuang-Di Song, Xi-Juan Liu, Yun Luo, Shi-Qing Cai","doi":"10.1111/acel.14411","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14411","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The risk of many human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders rises significantly in the elderly. With the increase in the aging population, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the biology of healthy aging and develop interventions that slow down the aging process or prevent age-related diseases. In this study, by a high-throughput screen in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> (<i>C. elegans</i>), we identified 11 small molecules that promote healthy aging. Among them, Carbamazepine (a voltage-gated channels inhibitor) and Calmagite (a calcium and magnesium indicator) enhanced serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) levels, extended lifespan, and preserved several important behaviors in aging <i>C. elegans</i>. These behaviors include slowing responses to food, pharyngeal pumping, locomotion, and male mating. Interestingly, we further found that administration of Carbamazepine or Calmagite alleviated hyperexcitability of aging male diagonal muscles and improved behavioral performance by ameliorating Ca<sup>2+</sup> homeostasis. Mechanistically, administration of Carbamazepine or Calmagite induced nuclear translocation of the transcription factor DAF-16 and thus up-regulated its downstream genes <i>numr-1/−2</i>, which are known to promote resistance to metal-induced stresses and longevity. Taken together, our study offers a way for the discovery of drugs that promote healthy aging, and provides potential interventions for preventing behavioral deterioration in the elderly.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acel.14411","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142646413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-18DOI: 10.1111/acel.14413
Casper Soendenbroe, Peter Schjerling, Cecilie J. L. Bechshøft, Rene B. Svensson, Laurent Schaeffer, Michael Kjaer, Bénédicte Chazaud, Arnaud Jacquier, Abigail L. Mackey
{"title":"Muscle fibroblasts and stem cells stimulate motor neurons in an age and exercise-dependent manner","authors":"Casper Soendenbroe, Peter Schjerling, Cecilie J. L. Bechshøft, Rene B. Svensson, Laurent Schaeffer, Michael Kjaer, Bénédicte Chazaud, Arnaud Jacquier, Abigail L. Mackey","doi":"10.1111/acel.14413","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14413","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Exercise preserves neuromuscular function in aging through unknown mechanisms. Skeletal muscle fibroblasts (FIB) and stem cells (MuSC) are abundant in skeletal muscle and reside close to neuromuscular junctions, but their relative roles in motor neuron maintenance remain undescribed. Using direct cocultures of embryonic rat motor neurons with either human MuSC or FIB, RNA sequencing revealed profound differential regulation of the motor neuron transcriptome, with FIB generally favoring neuron growth and cell migration and MuSC favoring production of ribosomes and translational machinery. Conditioned medium from FIB was superior to MuSC in preserving motor neurons and increasing their maturity. Lastly, we established the importance of donor age and exercise status and found an age-related distortion of motor neuron and muscle cell interaction that was fully mitigated by lifelong physical activity. In conclusion, we show that human muscle FIB and MuSC synergistically stimulate the growth and viability of motor neurons, which is further amplified by regular exercise.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acel.14413","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142646417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aging CellPub Date : 2024-11-17DOI: 10.1111/acel.14409
Katie L. Reagin, Rae-Ling Lee, Luke A. Williams, Loren Cocciolone, Kristen E. Funk
{"title":"Compromised CD8+ T cell immunity in the aged brain increases severity of neurotropic coronavirus infection and postinfectious cognitive impairment","authors":"Katie L. Reagin, Rae-Ling Lee, Luke A. Williams, Loren Cocciolone, Kristen E. Funk","doi":"10.1111/acel.14409","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acel.14409","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Advanced age increases the risk of severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as incidence of long COVID and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. We hypothesized that perturbations in the aged antiviral CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell response predisposes elderly individuals to severe coronavirus infection, re-infection, and postinfectious cognitive sequelae. Using MHV-A59 as a murine model of respiratory coronavirus, we found that aging increased CNS infection and lethality to MHV infection. This was coupled with increased CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells within the aged CNS but reduced antigen specificity. Aged animals also displayed a decreased proportion of CD103<sup>+</sup> resident memory cells (T<sub>RM</sub>), which correlated with increased severity of secondary viral challenge. Using a reciprocal adoptive transfer paradigm, data show that not only were fewer aged CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells retained within the adult brain post-infection, but also that adult CD8<sup>+</sup> cells expressed lower levels of T<sub>RM</sub> marker CD103 when in the aged microenvironment. Furthermore, aged animals demonstrated spatial learning impairment following MHV infection, which worsened in both aged and adult animals following secondary viral challenge. Spatial learning impairment was accompanied by increased TUNEL positivity in hippocampal neurons, suggestive of neuronal apoptosis. Additionally, primary cell coculture showed that activated CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells induced TUNEL positivity in neurons, independent of antigen-specificity. Altogether, these results show that non-antigen specific CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells are recruited to the aged brain and cause broad neuronal death without establishing a T<sub>RM</sub> phenotype that confers lasting protection against a secondary infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":55543,"journal":{"name":"Aging Cell","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acel.14409","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142643439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}