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Effects of Chronic Viral Infection on Lymphocyte Populations in Middle‑aged Baboons (Papio anubis).

E. Willis,R. Eberle,R. Wolf,G. White,D. McFarlane

Published 2021 in Comparative medicine

ABSTRACT

Aging of the immune system is characterized by the loss of naïve T-cells, increased inflammation, and immune functionimpairment. Chronic infection with cytomegalovirus is thought to play a role in age-related changes in immunity. Therefore,to assess the effect of pathogens such as cytomegalovirus on the immune system, we determined lymphocyte populations andinflammatory markers over a 3-y period in captive, middle-age baboons, with various exposure to pathogens and sheddingpressure. Groups included SPF (i.e., pathogen-negative; n = 14); large-group, conventionally housed (CONV LG; pathogenpositive;n = 14), and small-group, conventionally housed (CONV SM; pathogen-positive; n = 7). All baboon groups showeda decrease in CD45RA+ CD28+ (i.e., naive) cells over time during middle age, but the rate of decline appeared faster inCONV LG baboons than in the other groups. In addition, the reduction in CD45RA+ CD28+ cells in the CONV LG baboonscoincided with higher IgG levels against baboon cytomegalovirus, increased serum cortisol concentration, and a greater inflammatory phenotype. The results of this project support a role for cytomegalovirus infection in immune system alterations in middle-aged baboons.

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