Socio-economic inequalities in C-reactive protein and fibrinogen across the adult age span: Findings from Understanding Society

Systemic inflammation has been proposed as a physiological process linking socio-economic position (SEP) to health. We examined how SEP inequalities in inflammation -assessed using C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen- varied across the adult age span. Current (household income) and distal (education) markers of SEP were used. Data from 7,943 participants (aged 25+) of Understanding Society (wave 2, 1/2010-3/2012) were employed. We found that SEP inequalities in inflammation followed heterogeneous patterns by age, which differed by the inflammatory marker examined rather than by SEP measures. SEP inequalities in CRP emerged in 30s, increased up to mid-50s or early 60 s when they peaked and then decreased with age. SEP inequalities in fibrinogen decreased with age. Body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical activity and healthy diet explained part, but not all, of the SEP inequalities in inflammation; in general, BMI exerted the largest attenuation. Cumulative advantage theories and those considering age as a leveler for the accumulation of health and economic advantages across the life-span should be dynamically integrated to better understand the observed heterogeneity in SEP differences in health across the lifespan. The attenuating roles of health-related lifestyle indicators suggest that targeting health promotion policies may help reduce SEP inequalities in health

DNA immunisation with plasmids expressing hCGβ-chimeras.

Human chorionic gonadotropin has been used as an anti-fertility vaccine and as a target for cancer immunotherapy. We have explored the use of DNA immunization with the aim of improving the immunogenicity of this hormone. Stimulating the muscle with electric pulses following intramuscular injection of plasmids expressing hCG resulted in higher levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-specific antibodies, which could be further enhanced following a protein boost with hCG mixed with adjuvant. DNA vaccines encoding amembrane attached or a secreted form of hCG produced similar—albeit relatively modest—antibody responses. Providing hCG with additional T cell help by vaccinating with a plasmid encoding a hCG-hFc fusion protein did not further increase the antibody levels in the immunized animals. However, immunization of mice with a construct encodinghCG fused to C3d3 produced significantly lower antibody levels relative to mice immunized with the hCG-alone expression plasmid, even though the hCG-C3d3 chimera was expected to facilitate cross-linking of the antigen-specific B-cell receptor and CR2 thereby lowering the threshold of activation. Thus the limiting factor determining the antibody levels following hCG immunization, at least for DNA immunization, is related to the amount of protein available rather than the form of protein produced or lack of T cell epitopes

The role of CMV-specific immunity in the association between CMV infection and vascular complications in older age

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta-herpesvirus which establishes persistent infections. HCMV is thought to have infected over half of all adults worldwide with a seroprevalence between 60–99% worldwide. CMV establishes a lifelong persistent latent infection, which may sporadically reactivate. The aim of this study is to determine the contribution, if any, of CMV infection to vascular changes manifested as increased blood pressure along with decreased vascular compliance in 60–90 year olds. Due to the high prevalence of CMV in the elderly, this question is of significant importance. If it is confirmed that CMV contributes to vascular changes, it would be prudent to develop antiviral strategies to slow these vascular changes and increase the quality of life of patients. Carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a gold standard, non-invasive method of assessing arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness is a useful parameter for investigating cardiovascular risk. Arterial stiffness will be measured along with virological and immunological parameters of CMV infection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) isolated from blood obtained from volunteers will be stimulated with peptide mixes of various CMV peptides. The responses will be assessed by using flow cytometry to investigate the production of TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma. In addition, various populations of cells in whole blood will be phenotyped by flow cytometry. We expect to clearly confirm or refute a contribution of CMV infection to vascular changes. We also hope to build and maintain a cohort for further investigations into immunosenescence and CMV infection