Key result
Males with Torquetenovirus loads ≥4log copies/mL had a higher risk of an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio than those with lower viremia (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.06-7.62).
Why the study?
Torquetenovirus viremia has been linked to increased mortality in the elderly, but its role as a potential biomarker of immunosenescence required investigation.
Observational (n=1,813)
Yes
Higher Torquetenovirus loads are associated with an immune risk phenotype, including an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio, suggesting its utility as a biomarker for immunosenescence.
Torquetenovirus (TTV) viremia has been associated with increased mortality risk in the elderly population. This work aims to investigate TTV viremia as a potential biomarker of immunosenescence. We compared levels of circulating TTV in 1813 participants of the MARK-AGE project, including human models of delayed (offspring of centenarians [GO]) and premature (Down syndrome [DS]) immunosenescence. The TTV load was positively associated with age, cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody levels, and the Cu/Zn ratio and negatively associated with platelets, total cholesterol, and total IgM. TTV viremia was highest in DS and lowest in GO, with intermediate levels in the SGO (spouses of GO) and RASIG (Randomly Recruited Age-Stratified Individuals From The General Population) populations. In the RASIG population, TTV DNA loads showed a slight negative association with CD3+T-cells and CD4+T-cells. Finally, males with ≥4log TTV copies/mL had a higher risk of having a CD4/CD8 ratio<1 than those with lower viremia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-7.62), as well as reduced CD3+ and CD4+T-cells compared to males with lower replication rates (<4log), even after adjusting for CMV infection. In summary, differences in immune system preservation are reflected in the models of delayed and premature immunosenescence, displaying the best and worst control over TTV replication, respectively. In the general population, TTV loads were negatively associated with CD4+ cell counts, with an increased predisposition for an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio for individuals with TTV loads ≥4log copies/mL, thus promoting an immune risk phenotype.
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Giacconi et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Immunosenescence (n=1,813). Torquetenovirus (TTV) viremia ≥4log copies/mL vs. TTV viremia <4log copies/mL was evaluated on CD4/CD8 ratio < 1 (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.06-7.62). Males with Torquetenovirus loads ≥4log copies/mL had a higher risk of an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio than those with lower viremia (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.06-7.62).
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