Vukmanovic-Stejic, M;
Chambers, ES;
Suárez-Fariñas, MS;
Sandhu, D;
Fuentes-Duculan, J;
Patel, N;
Agius, E;
... Akbar, AN; + view all
(2018)
Enhancement of cutaneous immunity during aging by blocking p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase–induced inflammation.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
, 142
(3)
pp. 844-856.
10.1016/j.jaci.2017.10.032.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immunity declines with age that leads to re-activation of varicella zoster virus (VZV). In humans, age associated immune changes are usually measured in blood leukocytes however this may not reflect alterations in tissue-specific immunity. OBJECTIVES: We used a VZV antigen challenge system in the skin to investigate changes in tissue specific mechanisms involved in the decreased response to this virus during ageing. METHODS: We assessed cutaneous immunity by the extent of erythema and induration after intradermal VZV antigen injection. We also performed immune histology and transcriptomic analyses on skin biopsies taken from the site of challenge in young (<40 yrs) and old (>65 yrs) subjects. RESULTS: Old humans exhibited decreased erythema and induration, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration and attenuated global gene activation at the site of cutaneous VZV antigen challenge compared to young subjects. This was associated with elevated sterile inflammation in the skin in the same subjects, related to p38 MAPK-related pro-inflammatory cytokine production (p <0.0007). We inhibited systemic inflammation in old subjects by pre-treatment with an oral small molecule p38 MAP kinase inhibitor (Losmapimod), which reduced both serum C reactive protein (CRP) and peripheral blood monocyte secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α. In contrast, cutaneous responses to VZV antigen challenge was significantly increased in the same individuals (p <0.0006). CONCLUSION: Excessive inflammation in the skin early after antigen challenge retards antigen-specific immunity. However this can be reversed by inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production that may be utilized to promote vaccine efficacy and the treatment of infections and malignancy during ageing.
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