CD70 contributes to age-associated T cell defects and overwhelming inflammatory responses

Aging is associated with immune dysregulation, especially T cell disorders, which result in increased susceptibility to various diseases. Previous studies have shown that loss of co-stimulatory receptors or accumulation of co-inhibitory molecules play important roles in T cell aging. In the present study, CD70, which was generally regarded as a costimulatory molecule, was found to be upregulated on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells of elderly individuals. Aged CD70(+) T cells displayed a phenotype of over-activation, and expressed enhanced levels of numerous inhibitory receptors including PD-1, 2B4 and LAG-3. CD70(+) T cells from elderly individuals exhibited increased susceptibility to apoptosis and high levels of inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, the functional dysregulation of CD70(+) T cells associated with aging was reversed by blocking CD70. Collectively, this study demonstrated CD70 as a prominent regulator involved in immunosenescence, which led to defects and overwhelming inflammatory responses of T cells during aging. These findings provide a strong rationale for targeting CD70 to prevent dysregulation related to immunosenescence.