1. The paradox of aging: Aging-related shifts in T cell function and metabolism.
- Author
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Quinn, Kylie M., Vicencio, Daniela M., and La Gruta, Nicole L.
- Subjects
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T cells , *CELL physiology , *CELL metabolism , *IMMUNOLOGIC memory , *MEMORY disorders - Abstract
T 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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