ORIGINAL PAPER
Immunoaging – the effect of age on serum levels of NET biomarkers in men: a pilot study
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1
Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
(Department of Immunology)
2
Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
(Department of Analysis and Bioanalysis of Medicines)
3
Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
(University Children’s Clinical Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Immunology and Metabolic Bone Diseases)
4
Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
(Students’ Scientific Society, Department of Immunology)
5
Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
(Department of Clinical Molecular Biology)
Online publication date: 2023-08-28
Corresponding author
Marzena Garley
Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Immunology, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-269 Białystok, Poland
Angelika Edyta Charkiewicz
Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Waszyngtona 13, 15-267
Białystok, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):333-48
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of aging on the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The impaired formation
of NETs is the cause of an abnormal innate immune response. Material and Methods: The study included a total of 45 healthy male subjects of
different age groups. Whole blood was collected from the subjects, and the concentration of myeloperoxidase (MPO), the main biocidal protein
in NETs, was determined in serum using ELISA. The serum levels of circulating free DNA (cfDNA), which are the structural basis of NETs, were
also measured by fluorescence. In addition, the white blood cell count was determined, whole blood smear was evaluated, and the neutrophillymphocyte
ratio was calculated. The variations in the levels of NET biomarkers were analyzed in different age groups. Results: The low levels
of MPO (243.70 ng/ml) and cfDNA (6.24 ng/100 μl) in boys indicated neutrophil insufficiency for NETosis in children. A progressive increase in
the levels of MPO and cfDNA with age was observed among adolescents (420.91, p = 0.04; 13.55, p = 0.03, respectively), with the highest level noted
in the healthy adult group (466.58, p = 0.01; 14.07, p = 0.01, respectively). The levels of the studied parameters were comparable in adolescents and
young adults, which proved that the NETosis process was appropriate and suggested the attainment of neutrophil maturity for the release of NETs in
adolescence. The levels of MPO and cfDNA were low in older men (225.46, p < 0.01; 5.19, p < 0.01, respectively) indicating impaired NET formation. Conclusions: Data on the generation of NETs in different age groups obtained in this study can allow a better understanding of the ontogenesis of
the immune system in terms of the course of NETosis, and also indicate the need to support nonspecific responses in children and adults. Further
research should be performed to determine the possibility of regulating the NETosis process. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):333–48