Evidence suggests that aging is accompanied by significant changes in the immune apparatus that contribute to the initiation and progression of geriatric diseases. However, the fundamental mechanism underlying immune dysfunction in senescence remains to be fully defined. The objective of this study is to understand the basis of immune dysfunction by focusing on the role of regulatory ubiquitination in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes during aging. The long-term goal of this study is to fully define the molecular basis of immune dysregulation that accompanies aging. Our working hypothesis is that alterations in the regulation of ubiquitination and/or deubiquitination of important signaling intermediaries contribute to T cell dysfunction in the elderly by modulating activation-induced signaling. Our preliminary results demonstrate that (1) there is significant accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in T cells from the elderly, (2) the induction and activity of transcription factor NFkB, a paradigm for regulatory ubiquitination, is significantly compromised in activated T cells from the elderly, (3) proteasomal-degradation of ubiquitinated proteins is compromised in T cells from the elderly as compared to those from young donors and finally, (4) both ubiquitin conjugating and deubiquitinating activity are significantly altered in T cells from the elderly. With ubiquitination and ubiquitin-like protein modifications taking center stage in processes ranging from induction of trancription factor, to regulation of gene expression, it is likely that aberrant ubiquitination or regulation of ubiquitination may contribute to immune dysfunction in the elderly. Therefore, to understand the basis for this age-related alteration in regulatory ubiquitination, using signaling leading to the induction of NFkappa B as a paradigm, we will specifically : (i) identify and characterize the effect of age on ubiquitination of substrates in T cell subsets, (ii) delineate the underlying mechanism/s for altered ubiquitination in T cell subsets from the elderly and (iii) determine the regulatory role of the proteasome in altered ubiquitination and its functional impact on T cell responses. Results from these studies will provide valuable insights into regulatory ubiquitination in immune function underlying immune senescence in humans and may provide a molecular framework for designing potential therapeutic intervention in not only boosting vaccine efficiency in the elderly but also provide an insight into the role of ubiquitination in geriatric diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG025220-05
Application #
8054172
Study Section
Aging Systems and Geriatrics Study Section (ASG)
Program Officer
Fuldner, Rebecca A
Project Start
2007-04-01
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2011-04-15
Budget End
2014-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$239,792
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
122452563
City
Little Rock
State
AR
Country
United States
Zip Code
72205
Cullen, Sarah; Ponnappan, Subramaniam; Ponnappan, Usha (2015) Redox-regulated pathway of tyrosine phosphorylation underlies NF-?B induction by an atypical pathway independent of the 26S proteasome. Biomolecules 5:95-112
Ponnappan, Subramaniam; Palmieri, Michela; Sullivan, Dennis H et al. (2013) Compensatory increase in USP14 activity accompanies impaired proteasomal proteolysis during aging. Mech Ageing Dev 134:53-9
Cané, Stefania; Ponnappan, Subramaniam; Ponnappan, Usha (2012) Altered regulation of CXCR4 expression during aging contributes to increased CXCL12-dependent chemotactic migration of CD4(+) T cells. Aging Cell 11:651-8
Cane, Stefania; Ponnappan, Subramaniam; Ponnappan, Usha (2012) Impairment of non-muscle myosin IIA in human CD4+ T cells contributes to functional deficits in the elderly. Cell Mol Immunol 9:86-96
Ponnappan, Subramaniam; Ponnappan, Usha (2011) Aging and immune function: molecular mechanisms to interventions. Antioxid Redox Signal 14:1551-85
Cullen, Sarah J; Ponnappan, Subramaniam; Ponnappan, Usha (2010) Proteasome inhibition up-regulates inflammatory gene transcription induced by an atypical pathway of NF-kappaB activation. Biochem Pharmacol 79:706-14
Cullen, Sarah J; Ponnappan, Subramaniam; Ponnappan, Usha (2009) Catalytic activity of the proteasome fine-tunes Brg1-mediated chromatin remodeling to regulate the expression of inflammatory genes. Mol Immunol 47:600-5