Mood and Cytokine Response to Influenza Virus in Older Adults
Erin S. Costanzo 1 ,
Susan K. Lutgendorf 1 ,
Marian L. Kohut 2 ,
Nicole Nisly 1 ,
Kayla Rozeboom 2 ,
Shawn Spooner 2 ,
JoAnn Benda 1 and
Janet E. McElhaney 3
+ Author Affiliations
1University of Iowa, Iowa City.
2Iowa State University, Ames.
3Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.
Address correspondence to Susan K. Lutgendorf, PhD, Department of Psychology, E11 Seashore Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail: [See link]
Received May 27, 2003.
Accepted August 12, 2003.
Abstract
Background. Previous research has indicated that older adults with severe life stress show attenuated immune responses to influenza vaccination. Associations among mood, optimism, stress, and the in vitro cytokine response to influenza virus and vaccine were evaluated in 18 healthy older adults with low to moderate life stress.
Methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in cultures with 1999?2000 influenza vaccine viruses (A/Beijing/262/95, A/Sydney/5/97, and B/Yamanashi/166/98) and the 2000?2001 trivalent vaccine (containing A/New Caledonia/20/99, A/Panama/2007/99, and B/Yamanashi/166/98). The levels of T-helper type 1 (interleukin-2 and interferon-γ) and type 2 (interleukin-10) cytokines were measured in culture supernatants.
Results. Stress, age, and current health practices were unrelated to cytokine production. Older adults reporting greater anger, fatigue, confusion, and total mood disturbance had poorer cytokine responses to live virus and vaccine stimulation. In contrast, older adults who reported greater vigor and those who were more optimistic had greater cytokine responses to both live virus and vaccine. These relationships were largely unaffected by medications or health conditions.
Conclusions. These findings suggest that among older adults, even mild to moderate mood disturbance is associated with an attenuated cellular immune response to live influenza virus and vaccine.
The Gerontological Society of America
