Evidence for Lowered Induction of Nuclear Factor Kappa B in Activated Human T Lymphocytes during Aging

• Published in: Gerontology (Basel) 1996, Vol.42 (3), p.137-146
• Main Authors: Trebilcock, Gina Uken, Ponnappan, Usha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ageing, cell death; Aging - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogens - pharmacology; CD3 Complex - immunology; Cell physiology; Experimental Section; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Male; Molecular and cellular biology; NF-kappa B - biosynthesis; Oligonucleotide Probes; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - pharmacology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0304-324X; 1423-0003
• DOI: 10.1159/000213785

Transcription factor NFκB (nuclear factor κB) is induced in T lymphocytes from young individuals following activation with a variety of stimuli including anti-CD3, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In contrast, activated T lymphocytes from older individuals show a significant reduction in the induction of NFκB in response to the same stimuli. The age-related decline in induction of NFκB could not be attributed to alteration in the composition of subunits, p50 and p65 were found to be the predominant subunits of induced NFκB in T cells from young as well as elderly donors. Furthermore, similar levels of NFκB were found in the cytosols of unactivated T cells from both young and elderly donors suggesting that precursor levels of NFκB remain unaltered during aging. These results suggest that an age-associated decline in the induction of NFκB in activated T cells from elderly individuals may be attributable to altered regulation of the inhibitor, IκB, and may play an important role in immune dysregulation accompanying aging.