# "Dysregulation of Naive T cell Quiescence during Aging."

> **NIH NIH K01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $126,252

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
A common feature of human aging is an increased susceptibility to infections. This age-related susceptibility is
linked with a significant and reproducible loss of naïve T cells in older individuals. Notably, aged naïve cells not
only reduce in number but also display features of partial differentiation, implying a loss in cellular quiescence
may cause repertoire contraction and dysfunction with age. Naïve T cell quiescence is classically maintained
within secondary lymphoid tissues (SLTs) by fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). Mouse models have elegantly
demonstrated the ability of FRCs to promote T cell survival and directly inhibit activation-induced
differentiation. These data suggest that FRCs actively regulate naïve T cell quiescence and likely play an
essential role in its loss during aging. However, mechanistic studies in humans are significantly confounded by
rare use of single cell technologies and limited by poor naïve T cell survival in standard in vitro culture and
humanized mice. Better utilization of new single cell techniques and the development of novel methodologies
that sustain naïve T cells in vitro is thus required to gain further insight into naïve T cell maintenance during
human aging. Our preliminary data suggests high heterogeneity of human naïve T cells that narrows with age,
a situation that can be mimicked in vitro through the use of a novel SLT-like organoid model system. For this
proposal, Aim 1 will define the overall phenotypic, transcriptional and epigenetic heterogeneity of the naïve T
cell compartment during human aging. In addition, Aim 2 will further develop SLT-like organoids for the long-
term study of naïve T cell quiescence. Aim 3 will use our organoid system, in combination with ex vivo and in
vitro assays, to determine the role of FRCs in the maintenance of naïve T cell quiescence and its breakdown
with aging. The overarching goals of these studies are to define fundamental naïve T cell heterogeneity and
determine causes of age-related homeostatic decline – to ultimately identify potential therapeutic interventions
to boost protective immunity and prevent pathogenic infections in older individuals. The applicant Dr. Claire
Gustafson has outlined an integrative five-year research and career development plan to advance her
knowledge in single cell techniques and their analysis pipelines and to develop a novel, organoid-based
research platform to study T cell homeostasis during aging. Dr. Gustafson’s mentor, Dr. Jörg Goronzy, has
comprehensive expertise in T cell aging as well as an extensive network of scientific collaborators using high
throughput analytical techniques. This mentorship combined with Dr. Gustafson’s team of expert advisors and
the resources available at Stanford University provides an exceptional research environment for Dr. Gustafson
to successfully become a strong independent investigator in the area of human immune aging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10038107
- **Project number:** 1K01AG068373-01
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Claire Gustafson
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $126,252
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10038107

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10038107, "Dysregulation of Naive T cell Quiescence during Aging." (1K01AG068373-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10038107. Licensed CC0.

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