INFLUENCE OF AGE ON THE PRODUCTION OF FOS AND JUN BY INFLUENZA VIRUS-EXPOSED T-CELLS

This study investigated age-related T cell responses after in vitro ex posure to influenza A virus. Mononuclear leukocytes from young or elde rly persons were sham-exposed or exposed to influenza virus for 1, 24, and 72 h. Immunofluorescent staining and how cytometric analysis were then used to detect T cells producing the transcriptional regulating proteins Pos and Jun. Fewer virus-exposed cells from elderly donors st ained for Fos and Jun at each data point compared with cells from youn g donors. Flow cytometric analysis also showed that at 72 h of virus e xposure fewer T cells from the elderly produced interferon-gamma (IFN- gamma), suggesting a link between the magnitude of the Fos and Jun and IFN-gamma responses. Thus, failure of virus-exposed T cells to produc e Fos and Jun could contribute to the increase in illness due to influ enza virus in the elderly.