Skin T cells maintain their diversity and functionality in the elderly

Commun Biol. 2021 Jan 4;4(1):13. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-01551-7.

Abstract

Recent studies have highlighted that human resident memory T cells (TRM) are functionally distinct from circulating T cells. Thus, it can be postulated that skin T cells age differently from blood-circulating T cells. We assessed T-cell density, diversity, and function in individuals of various ages to study the immunologic effects of aging on human skin from two different countries. No decline in the density of T cells was noted with advancing age, and the frequency of epidermal CD49a+ CD8 TRM was increased in elderly individuals regardless of ethnicity. T-cell diversity and antipathogen responses were maintained in the skin of elderly individuals but declined in the blood. Our findings demonstrate that in elderly individuals, skin T cells maintain their density, diversity, and protective cytokine production despite the reduced T-cell diversity and function in blood. Skin resident T cells may represent a long-lived, highly protective reservoir of immunity in elderly people.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Skin / immunology*
  • Sweden
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*

Substances

  • Cytokines