| The immune system constantly changes and adapts throughout the lifetime of an individual. As such, Holcar et al. wanted to study the changes in T effector and Treg populations over time across children, adolescents, and adults. In addition, they studied STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins. STATs are induced by cytokines, activated by phosphorylation, and aid in downstream immunological effects like T effector differentiation and gene transcription of other proteins. As such, Holcar et al. also studied STAT1, as aberrant signaling is associated with autoimmune disease. BioLegend offers several STAT reagents, both conjugated and unconjugated, to aid in flow cytometry and western blotting applications. |
| Blood was taken from individuals ranging from 10 months to 63 years of age. They found young children had a higher percentage of B cells in the blood compared to adults. Children also had elevated levels of STAT1 in activated Tregs. This is of note because this can make the cells more sensitive to IFN-α, which has been found to be increased in blood serum samples of young lupus patients. This potentially makes the Tregs more prone to an inflammatory state in overcoming its suppressive ability. Adults displayed increased numbers of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th1/Th17 (IFN-γ, IL-17+) cells. The increase in proinflammatory T helper populations (along with a decrease in Tregs) could point to the onset of inflammatory or autoimmune diseases as we age. |
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