Zytotoxische CD8+-T-Zellen im Alter: unterschätzte Killer?
摘要
Aging leads to various alterations in immune cell functions. Here, we report our surprising findings that despite immunosenescence, CD8+ T cells’ cytotoxic efficiency increases with age. The FRET-based apoptosis sensor pCasper, stably transfected into tumor cells, revealed fundamental changes in the cytotoxic mechanisms. Antigen-specific CD8+ T cells from elderly OT-I mice shift from apoptotic to necrotic killers. This capability might affect cell-based immunotherapies in old age.