Dumke, Breanna R., authorLees, Simon J., advisorGotshall, Robert W., advisorFrye, Melinda A., committee member2007-01-032007-01-032010http://hdl.handle.net/10217/44849Sarcopenia is an age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Recent evidence suggests that an age-associated loss of muscle precursor cell (MPC) functionality contributes to sarcopenia. Current research also suggests that T cells of the immune system may influence skeletal muscle repair via signaling with MPCs. The objective of the present study was to examine the influence of activated T cells on MPCs. MPCs were collected from the gastrocnemius and plantaris from 3-mo-old (young) and 32-mo-old (old) animals. Splenic T cells were also harvested using anti-CD3 Dynabead isolation. T cells were activated for 48 hours with co-stimulation of 100 IU/ml Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and 5 ug/ml of anti-CD28. Co-stimulation increased 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation (proliferation) of T cells from 13.382% (SEM=4.55, n=5) in control to 64.77% (SEM= 6.02, n=5). Additionally, T cell cytokines increased MPC proliferation by 23.98% (SEM=5.69, n=4) in young MPCs but decreased by 1.58% (SEM=4.09, n=4) in old MPCs. T cell cytokines were also found to be chemoattractant. Young MPCs migrated at a rate of 1.36 (SEM=0.56, n=4) with T cell cytokines. Old MPCs, however, did not migrate with T cell cytokines -0.05 (SEM= 0.214, n=4). These data suggest that T cells may play a critical role in mediating MPC function. Furthermore, aging may alter T cell-induced MPC function. These findings have implications for developing strategies aimed at increasing MPC proliferation and the regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle.masters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.T cellskeletal musclesatellite cellproliferationmigrationconditioned mediaMuscles -- DiseasesMuscles -- RegenerationT cells -- Therapeutic useMuscles -- DiseasesText