Sustained mTORC1 activation in activated T cells impairs vaccine responses in older individuals

Abstract

T cell aging contributes to the lower vaccine efficacy in older adults, yet the molecular mechanism remains elusive. Here, we show the density of initially responding naïve CD4⁺ T cells is instructive in T follicular helper (TFH) cell fate decisions and declines with age. A lower number of initially responding cells did not affect TFH differentiation at peak responses after immunization but accounted for an increased contraction phase manifesting as a larger loss of CXCR5 expression. Mechanistically, cells activated at a lower initial density had more sustained mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activities that impair CXCR5 maintenance. YAP-dependent regulation of SLC7A5 involved in the cell density–dependent regulation of mTORC1 activities and TFH loss. Old mice fed with a leucine-restricted diet after peak responses showed smaller TFH loss and improved humoral immune responses. Attenuating mTORC1 signaling after peak response is a strategy to boost vaccine responses in older individuals.