Implication of IL-7 receptor alpha chain expression by CD8(+) T cells and its signature in defining biomarkers in aging

CD8(+) T cells play an important role in host defense against infections and malignancies as well as contribute to the development of inflammatory disorders. Alterations in the frequency of naïve and memory CD8(+) T cells are one of the most significant changes in the immune system with age. As the world population rapidly ages, a better understanding of aging immune function or immunosenescence could become a basis for discovering treatments of illnesses that commonly occur in older adults. In particular, biomarkers for immune aging could be utilized to identify individuals at high risk of developing age-associated conditions and help monitor the efficacy of therapeutic interventions targeting such conditions. This review details the possible role of CD8(+) T cell subsets expressing different levels of the cytokine receptor IL-7 receptor alpha chain (IL-7Rα) and the gene signature associated with IL-7Rα as potential biomarkers for immune aging given the association of CD8(+) T cells in host defense, inflammation, and immunosenescence.