The goal of this project is to characterize the defects in Natural Killer (NK) cell development in the context of aging through analysis of progenitor cells.
Aim 1 proposes to characterize the developmental stage(s) in which NK development is abrogated in aged mice. Analyzing young and aged mice by means of 12 color combinatorial FACS analyses we will deduce the discrete step of NK differentiation that is affected by aging. Cell surface markers specific for NK developmental stages, from the earliest common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) to the NK committed progenitor (NKP) to fully mature NK cells, will be assessed to distinguish where NK development in affected. Also, mature NK subsets, defined by CD27 and Mac1 expression, from bone marrow, spleen, liver and lymph nodes will be assayed for their functional competence. The two hallmarks of NK effector function, cytolytic killing and cytokine secretion, will be compared between young and aged mice to characterize defects with respect to these pathways.
Aim 2 will focus on verifying if the defects identified in aim 1 are cell intrinsic or extrinsic. Transplantations of NKP from young and aged mice into aged and young congenic host, respectively, will allow us to characterize the cell autonomous and/or microenvironment defects that are manifested with age. To find specific molecules that govern the cell intrinsic defects identified above, we will use Affymetrix microarrays to compare the differential gene expression between CLP and NKP from young and aged mice. This will allow us to identify specific transcription factors and signaling molecules that govern NK fate decisions.

Public Health Relevance

NK cells play a pivotal role in fighting infection and tumor formation, both of which have a higher prevalence in the aged population. Thus, understanding of processes that lead to NK cell defects in aged individuals will be a critical first step for the development of therapies aimed at these age-dependent pathophysiological conditions.)

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31AG032854-01A1
Application #
7910769
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F07-C (20))
Program Officer
Fuldner, Rebecca A
Project Start
2010-09-30
Project End
2012-09-29
Budget Start
2010-09-30
Budget End
2011-09-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$41,380
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Fathman, John W; Fernhoff, Nathaniel B; Seita, Jun et al. (2014) Upregulation of CD11A on hematopoietic stem cells denotes the loss of long-term reconstitution potential. Stem Cell Reports 3:707-15
Fathman, John W; Bhattacharya, Deepta; Inlay, Matthew A et al. (2011) Identification of the earliest natural killer cell-committed progenitor in murine bone marrow. Blood 118:5439-47