Fernandes, JR;
Pinto, TNC;
Piemonte, LL;
Arruda, LB;
Marques da Silva, CCB;
Fernandes de Carvalho, CR;
Pinto, RMC;
... Benard, G; + view all
(2021)
Long-term tobacco exposure and immunosenescence: paradoxical effects on T-cells telomere length and telomerase activity.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
, 197
, Article 111501. 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111501.
Preview |
Text
Fernandes 2021 - tobacco and immunosenescence - preproof.pdf - Accepted Version Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Immunosenescence are alterations on immune system that occurs throughout an individual life. The main characteristic of this process is replicative senescence, evaluated by telomere shortening. Several factors implicate on telomere shortening, such as smoking. In this study, we evaluated the influence of smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on cytokines, telomere length and telomerase activity. Blood samples were collected from subjects aged over 60 years old: Healthy (never smokers), Smokers (smoking for over 30 years) and COPDs (ex-smokers for ≥15 years). A young group was included as control. PBMCs were cultured for assessment of telomerase activity using RT-PCR, and cytokines secretion flow cytometry. CD4+ and CD8+ purified lymphocytes were used to assess telomere length using FlowFISH. We observed that COPD patients have accelerated telomere shortening. Paradoxically, smokers without lung damage showed preserved telomere length, suggesting that tobacco smoking may affect regulatory mechanisms, such as telomerase. Telomerase activity showed diminished activity in COPDs, while Smokers showed increased activity compared to COPDs and Healthy groups. Extracellular environment reflected this unbalance, indicated by an anti-inflammatory profile in Smokers, while COPDs showed an inflammatory prone profile. Further studies focusing on telomeric maintenance may unveil mechanisms that are associated with cancer under long-term smoking.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Long-term tobacco exposure and immunosenescence: paradoxical effects on T-cells telomere length and telomerase activity |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111501 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2021.111501 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | telomere; Immunosenescence; replicative senescence; tobacco exposure |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Infection and Immunity |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10127981 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
