Differences in Cytokine Production during Aging and Its Relationship with Antimicrobial Peptides Production

Abstract

Aging is a major health issue due to the increased susceptibility of elderly people to infectious, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases. Innate immunity is an important mechanism to avoid primary infections; therefore, decreasing of its activity may lead to development of infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effector molecules of innate immunity that can eliminate microbial invaders. The role that cytokines play in the regulation of these innate immune mechanisms needs to be explored. Serum determinations of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines were performed in order to evaluate their association with AMPs human beta-defensin (HBD)-2 and LL-37 in young adults, elder adults, and elder adults with recurrent infections. Our results showed differences in interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 among the different groups. Inverse correlations in serum cytokine levels and HBD-2 production were identified for IL-10, IL-2, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6. Also inverse correlations were identified for IL-10, IL-4, and cathelicidin (LL-37). Such results could impact the development of immunomodulators that promote AMP production to prevent and/or contain infectious diseases in this population.

Host Antimicrobial Peptides: The Promise of New Treatment Strategies against Tuberculosis

“…Following the bacteria engulfment by alveolar macrophages, the mycobacterial components are identified by several pattern recognition receptors resulting in the activation of signaling pathways and the subsequent leukocyte activation ( 27 , 58 ). In this scenario, participation of endogenous AMPs during the host immune response (Figure 2 ) is key for a successful eradication of infection ( 28 , 60 ). We can differentiate two main phases that would mediate the infection process, in the early acute step the AMPs can directly kill the Mtb bacilli, whereas in the secondary late step, the AMPs immunomodulatory action takes the leadership ( 26 ).…”

“…Thus, the administration of supplementary AMPs, the use of gene therapy ( 136 ) or an immunomodulatory hormonal induction would be necessary to achieve an effective dose ( 207 ). This approach would be mostly recommended for immunocompromised patients ( 60 , 204 , 205 ). However, researchers should not disregard the unpredictable long-term consequences of exposing the bacteria to an overdose of AMPs.…”

Immune Normalization Strategy Against Suboptimal Health Status: Safe and Effective Mixed-Natural Killer Cell Therapy

“…The immune system is an important barrier for the human body to resist various diseases. Its ability has rhythmic uctuations [1,2], and is affected by many factors, such as genetic factors and age [3,4]. The reduction in the response capacity of immune cells will lead to various diseases, such as cancer, while the excessive activation of immune cells will also cause various diseases, such as autoimmune diseases.…”

Morphological Characteristics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Affected Lung Tissue. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

“…or occasional (0/+) hBD-3 immunoreactive cells were found in the bronchial epithelium, connective tissue, blood vessels, smooth muscle, and glands. In cartilage (31), alveolar epithelium and among alveolar macrophages (18) of most control patients, occasional (0/+) to moderate (++) numbers of hBD-3 immunoreactive cells were found.…”

“…In majority of control patients, none (0) or only occasional (0/+) hBD-4-containing cells were found in the bronchial epithelium (31), connective tissue (32), blood vessels (26), muscle (39), and glands (30). In cartilage (33), alveolar epithelium (21), and among alveolar macrophages (15) of part of control individuals, occasional (0/+) to moderate (++) numbers of hBD-4 immunoreactive cells were detected.…”