New Study Reveals A Link Between Circulating TNF? and Neutrophilia in the Advanced-age Frail Elderly
The frailty and susceptibility of the elderly population is often accepted as a sad but inevitable fact. The processes and mechanisms underlying this phenomenon is, however, relatively unexplored and currently unknown [...]
The frailty and susceptibility of the elderly population is often accepted as a sad but inevitable fact. The processes and mechanisms underlying this phenomenon is, however, relatively unexplored and currently unknown. A new study by Dr. Chis Verschoor and colleagues establish a potential role for TNFα in compromising immune functions by affecting neutrophil maturation.
The study, published in Molecular Immunology, reveals an increased frequency of circulating neutrophils in advanced-age frail elderly individuals compared to young or community-dwelling elderly individuals. The neutrophils isolated from advanced-age frail elderly individuals are furthermore immature, with increased expression of the maturation markers cd11b and HLA-DR. The frequency of cd11b positive neutrophils was associated with higher plasma concentration of TNFα, and using experimental models, the authors demonstrate a critical role for TNFα in neutrophil expression of cd11b. The studies provide important clues to the mechanisms underlying increased susceptibility and frailty of advanced-aged individuals.
Dr. Verschoor has been working with Associate Professor Dawn Bowdish for his research fellowship and has published 14 papers in the past year, including five first author publications. By adopting innovative research strategies to address pressing scientific issues, Dr. Verschoor has elevated the research on immune functions in the frail elderly considerably. The dedicated Dr. Verschoor is a critical member of the Bowdish lab, and highly appreciated at MIRC. Dr. Verschoor has trained a number of students at MIRC, and helped them achieve scientific excellence.
McMaster Immunology Research Centre, ResearchRelated News
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