Slower immune system aging in women versus men in the Japanese population

Abstract

BackgroundGender-related differences in humans are commonly observed in behaviour, physical activity, disease, and lifespan. However, the notion that age-related changes in the immune system differ between men and women remains controversial. To elucidate the relationship between immunological changes and lifespan, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy Japanese subjects (age range: 20–90 years; N = 356) were analysed by using three-colour flow cytometry. The proliferative activities and cytokine-producing capacities of T cells in response to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody stimulation were also assessed.ResultsAn age-related decline in the number of T cells, certain subpopulations of T cells (including CD8+ T cells, CD4+CDRA+ T cells, and CD8+CD28+ T cells), and B cells, and in the proliferative capacity of T cells was noted. The rate of decline in these immunological parameters, except for the number of CD8+ T cells, was greater in men than in women (p < 0.05). We observed an age-related increase or increasing trend in the number of CD4+ T cells, CD4+CDRO+ T cells, and natural killer (CD56+CD16+) cells, as well as in the CD4+ T cell/CD8+ T cell ratio. The rate of increase of these immunological parameters was greater in women than in men (p < 0.05). T cell proliferation index (TCPI) was calculated from the T cell proliferative activity and the number of T cells; it showed an age-related decline that was greater in men than in women (p < 0.05). T cell immune score, which was calculated using 5 T cell parameters, also showed an age-related decline that was greater in men than in women (p < 0.05). Moreover, a trend of age-related decreases was observed in IFNγ, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 production, when lymphocytes were cultured with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody stimulation. The rate of decline in IL-6 and IL-10 production was greater in men than in women (p < 0.05).ConclusionAge-related changes in various immunological parameters differ between men and women. Our findings indicate that the slower rate of decline in these immunological parameters in women than that in men is consistent with the fact that women live longer than do men.

Sexual dimorphism in autoimmunity

“…The authors reported age-related declines in T and B cell numbers as well as changes in CD4 + /CD8 + T cell ratios. The rate of decline in B and T cell numbers, increases in the CD4 + / CD8 + T cell ratio, and increases in NK numbers were significantly greater in males versus females (120).…”

Sex, the aging immune system, and chronic disease

“…T EMRA s [8,[105][106][107]. At the same time, a larger proportion of older men experience an inverted CD4/CD8 T cell ratio as compared to women of the same age [107].…”

“…At the same time, a larger proportion of older men experience an inverted CD4/CD8 T cell ratio as compared to women of the same age [107]. The proliferative and cytokinesecretion capacity of T cells isolated from older men is diminished more so than in cells isolated from older women, as is the ability of monocytes to secrete IFN-c-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), a chemoattractant for activated T cells [13,105,107,108]. The increased accumulation of NK cells in older women is an exception to this general pattern [105].…”

Interstitial Pneumonia in a 94-Year-Old Woman with MPO-ANCA Positive Vasculitis

“…in Japan 85.5 years in women and 79.0 in men [10]. A sexual dimorphism in the immune response means that females are more resistant to infections but they have higher incidence of autoimmune diseases compared to male [12]. This aged woman revealed poor prognosis from IP with MPO-ANCA associated vasculitis, probably due to immunological impairments.…”