B cells from individuals with a robust antibody response to the influenza vaccine had significantly longer telomeres than those with a poor antibody response. Monocyte-derived antigen-presenting cells from both the short and long telomere groups induced similar expansions of influenza M1-specific CD8(+) T cells. Vaccination did not increase M1-specific CD8(+) T cells in the blood, but M1-specific CD8(+) T cells from the long telomere group showed significantly greater expansion in vitro than those from the short telomere group. Finally, M1-specific CD8(+) T cells that underwent more expansions had significantly longer telomeres than cells that underwent fewer divisions.
CONCLUSIONS:
Telomere length is positively associated with a robust lymphocyte response, and telomere attrition may contribute to the age-related decline in adaptive immunity.
study here read (engl.)
