Date of Completion
5-8-2020
Embargo Period
5-7-2025
Keywords
aging, influenza, CD4 T cells, vaccination, senescence, senolytics, flu, differentiation
Major Advisor
Dr. Laura Haynes
Associate Advisor
Dr. George Kuchel
Associate Advisor
Dr. Adam Adler
Associate Advisor
Dr. Evan Jellison
Field of Study
Biomedical Science
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Open Access
Campus Access
Abstract
Aging greatly contributes to increased susceptibility to influenza infection. To effectively protect against influenza-related complications and mortality, a robust, yet controlled, cellular and humoral immune response is critical. CD4 T cells aid in carefully orchestrating the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory influenza responses. With this research, we examine how the aged environment impacts these responses and CD4 T cell differentiation following influenza infection in aged mice. In this thesis, we show that the aging environment compromises the ability of CD4 T cells to differentiate into functional subsets, resulting in a multitude of dysregulated responses including, delayed viral clearance and prolonged inflammation. Priming CD4 T cells using vaccination, however, can significantly reduce inflammation, increase survival, and promote a balance between inflammatory CD4 T cell subsets. There is a significant reduction in TGF-bwith vaccination, which reduces the amount of regulatory CD4 T cells in aged mice, necessary to have an effective inflammatory response. TGF-breduction by neutralization reduces IFN-gin aged mice after infection. Even further, we examine how inflammatory and regulatory CD4 T cells are affected after eliminating senescent cells, major contributors to the aged environment. Using the senolytic cocktail D+Q, regulatory CD4 T cells and TGF-bare reduced, suggesting that the senescent environment could be effecting CD4 T cell responses to influenza. This research is the first examine the relationship between senescence and CD4 T cell differentiation. Collectively, this research shows the aged environment can be overcome to promote regulated influenza responses with aging.
Recommended Citation
Lorenzo, Erica, "Examining the Aged Immune System: Elucidating the Underlying Mechanisms That Promote More Effective Influenza Responses and Regulate CD4 T Cell Subsets" (2020). Doctoral Dissertations. 2525.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/dissertations/2525
Erica Lorenzo-Thesis Dissertation 2020.pdf (7961 kB)