The paradox of aging: Aging-related shifts in T cell function and metabolism

Semin Immunol. 2023 Aug 31;70:101834. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101834. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTT cell survival, differentiation after stimulation, and function are intrinsically linked to distinct cellular metabolic states. The ability of T cells to readily transition between metabolic states enables flexibility to meet the changing energy demands defined by distinct effector states or T cell lineages. Immune aging is characterized, in part, by the loss of naïve T cells, accumulation of senescent T cells, severe dysfunction in memory phenotype T cells in particular, and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, or 'inflammaging'. Here, we review our current understanding of the phenotypic and functional changes that occur with aging in T cells, and how they relate to metabolic changes in the steady state and after T cell activation. We discuss the apparent contradictions in the aging T cell phenotype - where enhanced differentiation states and metabolic profiles in the steady state can correspond to a diminished capacity to adapt metabolically and functionally after T cell activation. Finally, we discuss key recent studies that indicate the enormous potential for aged T cell metabolism to induce systemic inflammaging and organism-wide multimorbidity, resulting in premature death.PMID:37659169 | DOI:10.1016/j.smim.2023.101834

Source: Seminars in Immunology - September 2, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Kylie M Quinn Daniela M Vicencio Nicole L La Gruta Source Type: research