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Immune competence and spleen size scale with colony status in the naked mole-rat

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Item Type:Article
Title:Immune competence and spleen size scale with colony status in the naked mole-rat
Creators Name:Bégay, V., Cirovic, B., Barker, A.J., Klopffleisch, R., Hart, D.W., Bennett, N.C. and Lewin, G.R.
Abstract:Naked mole-rats (NM-R; Heterocephalus glaber) live in multi-generational colonies with a social hierarchy, show low cancer incidence and long life-spans. Here we asked if an immune component might underlie such extreme physiology. The largest lymphoid organ is the spleen which plays an essential role in responding to immunological insults and may participate in combating cancer and slowing ageing. We investigated the anatomy, molecular composition and function of the NM-R spleen using RNA-sequencing and histological analysis in healthy NM-Rs. Spleen size in healthy NM-Rs showed considerable inter-individual variability, with some animals displaying enlarged spleens. In all healthy NM-Rs the spleen is a major site of adult hematopoiesis under normal physiological conditions. However, myeloid to lymphoid cell ratio is increased and splenic marginal zone showed markedly altered morphology when compared to other rodents. Healthy NM-Rs with enlarged spleens showed potentially better anti-microbial profiles and were much more likely to have a high rank within the colony. We propose that the anatomical plasticity of the spleen might be regulated by social interaction and gives immunological advantage to increase the life-span of higher ranked animals.
Keywords:Hyperplasic Spleen / Splenomegaly, Adaptive Immune System, Lymphopoiesis, Extramedullary Hematopoiesis, Eusociality, Animals, Mole Rats
Source:Open Biology
ISSN:2046-2441
Publisher:Royal Society
Volume:12
Number:4
Page Range:210292
Date:6 April 2022
Official Publication:https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.210292
PubMed:View item in PubMed

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