ABSTRACT
Aging is a significant risk factor for various diseases, including asthma, and it often leads to poorer clinical outcomes, particularly in elderly individuals. It is recognized that age-related diseases are due to a time-dependent accumulation of cellular damage, resulting in a progressive decline in cellular and physiological functions and an increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. The effects of aging affect not only the elderly but also those of younger ages, posing significant challenges to global healthcare. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with aging in different diseases is essential. One intriguing factor is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which serves as a cytoplasmic receptor and ligand-activated transcription factor and has been linked to the aging process. Here, we review the literature on several major hallmarks of aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, autophagy, mitophagy, epigenetic alterations, and microbiome disturbances. Moreover, we provide an overview of the impact of AhR on these hallmarks by mediating responses to environmental exposures, particularly in relation to the immune system. Furthermore, we explore how aging hallmarks affect clinical characteristics, inflammatory features, exacerbations, and the treatment of asthma. It is suggested that AhR signaling may potentially play a role in regulating asthma phenotypes in elderly populations as part of the aging process.
Subject(s)
Humans , Aged , Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism , Asthma , Aging , Gene Expression Regulation , LigandsABSTRACT
BackgroundMale sex and old age are risk factors for severe COVID-19, but the intersection of sex and aging on antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has not been characterized. MethodsPlasma samples were collected from older adults (75-98 years) before and after three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, and from younger adults (18-74 years) post-dose two, for comparison. Antibody binding to SARS-CoV-2 antigens (spike protein [S], S-receptor binding domain [S-RBD], and nucleocapsid [N]) and functional activity against S were measured against the vaccine virus and variants of concern (VOC). ResultsVaccination induced greater antibody titers in older females than males, with both age and frailty associated with reduced antibody responses to vaccine antigens in males, but not females. ACE2 binding inhibition declined more than anti-S or anti-S-RBD IgG in the six months following the second dose (28-fold vs. 12- and 11-fold decreases in titer). The third dose restored functional antibody responses and eliminated disparities caused by sex, age, and frailty in older adults. Responses to the VOC were significantly reduced relative to the vaccine virus, with older males having lower titers to the VOC than females. Older adults had lower responses to the vaccine and VOC viruses than younger adults, with disparities being greater in males than females. ConclusionOlder and frail males may be more vulnerable to breakthrough infections due to low antibody responses before receipt of a third vaccine dose. Promoting third dose coverage in older adults, especially males, is crucial to protecting this vulnerable population. Brief summarySARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination induces greater antibody response in older females than males, and age and frailty reduce responses in males only. These effects are eliminated by a third vaccine dose, highlighting the need for third dose coverage, especially in older males.
ABSTRACT
Objective to explore the correlation between interferon-γ receptor(IFNGR)2 amino acid sites Val14Met and GIn64Arg polymorphism and atherosclerosis plaque stability in Yunnan Han nationality.Methods The patients with unstable atherosclerotic plaque in our hospital from March 2014 to March 2015 were collected as the observation group and contemporaneous patients with stable atherosclerotic plaque/non-plaque as the control group.The peripheral venous blood was collected for extracting genomic DNA.IFNGR Va114Met and GIn64Arg loci genotype was detected by the PCR product direct sequencing method.The sequencing results were analyzed by adopting the DNAStar and GeneTool software.The levels of plasma cytokines(IFN-γ)was detected by the flow cytometry.Results Two hundreds and four native Han patients were included in this study,including the observation group,109 cases,age(76.89±12.08)years old;the control group,95 cases,age(65.99±16.32)years old.The polymorphism change of IFNGR1 Vall4Met loci was not found irn the two groups.In the observation group,the frequency of IFNGR2 Gln64Arg genotype AA was 51.95％(40/77),which of AGwas 53.06 ％(52/98)and which of GG was 58.62％(17/29);in the control group,the frequencies were 48.05 ％ (37/77),46.94 ％ (46/98) and 41.38 ％ (12/29),chi-square test,P =0.824.The IFNGR2 Gln64Arg genotypes AA,AG and GG had no relation with atherosclerotic plaque stability.The A and G allele frequencies in the observation group were 52.38％ (132/252)and 55.13 ％ (86/156)respectively,which of the control group were 47.62 ％ (120/252)and 44.87％ (70/156),chi-square test's P=0.661.The IFNGR2 Gln64Arg A/G allele had no relation with atherosclerotic plaque stability.By Hardy-Weinberg genetic balance test,the gene frequency in this sample population was in accordance with the genetic equilibrium law.The plasma IFN-γ level in the observation group was(4.60 ± 1.91)ng/mL,which in the control group was (4.88 ± 2.10)ng/ mL,the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.318);the plasma IFN-γ content had no relation with atherosclerotic plaque stability(P=0.308).Conclusion The genetic polymorphisms of IFNGR can not serve as a warning indicator of atherosclerotic plaque stability.
