Host aging induces a senescent-like phenotype in neutrophils and altered transcriptional responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Aging drives increased susceptibility to respiratory infections by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci). Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are among the first responders in the lung following pneumococcal infection and are required for bacterial clearance. However, PMN antimicrobial function declines with age. To identify mechanisms underlying this decline, we performed RNA sequencing on PMNs in the lungs of young and old mice following pulmonary infection with S. pneumoniae . We observed significant transcriptomic differences across host age. Transcriptional analysis followed by functional validation revealed that in infected mice, PMNs from aged hosts failed to upregulate several effector activities including glycolysis and subsequent mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which are necessary for bacterial killing by PMNs. Analysis of potential transcription factors controlling these changes indicated differential regulation by E2f2 in aged mice, which was linked to lower PMN differentiation resulting in more immature PMNs in the lungs of aged mice compared to young controls. Conversely, PMNs in aged mice displayed a higher senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) score and upregulated pathways involved in cellular senescence. Follow-up functional characterization found that in uninfected hosts, PMNs in aged mice expressed higher levels of SASP factors IL-10, TNFα, and ROS, had lower incidence of apoptosis, and had a higher proportion of cells positive for senescence-associated β-galactosidase, features of a senescent-like phenotype. In conclusion, host aging is associated with altered PMN phenotypes, including a shift toward senescent-like energy-deficient cells, which may contribute to impaired host defense and represent potential targets for improved interventions against infection in older adults.