Reduced levels and functional ability of naïve T-Lymphocyties in elderly people influence the development of inmunological memory against neoantigens

Abstract

We wanted to study age’s influence in the development of immunological memory against neoantigens using the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination as model of a first encounter with an antigen. For this, we analysed 35 elderly donors (ED; age:75.5, IR:6) and 35 young donors (YD; age:40, IR:10). We performed immunophenotypes by flow cytometry, analysed activation (CD25, CD69, HLA-DR) and proliferation (Ki-67) ability of naïve T-lymphocytes in response to anti- CD3 and studied the development of immunological memory against a neoantigen a month after receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Specific memory T-lymphocytes to SARS-CoV-2 were quantified using IFN-g-Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot Assay (ELISpot) after their stimulation with viral peptide pools.