Natural disaster and immunological aging in a nonhuman primate
Marina M. Watowich, Kenneth L. Chiou, Michael J. Montague, Noah D. Simons, Julie E. Horvath, Angelina Ruíz-Lambides, Melween I. Martínez, James P. Higham, Lauren J. N. Brent, Michael L. Platt, Noah Snyder‐Mackler, Lauren J. N. Brent, James P. Higham, Melween I. Martínez, Michael J. Montague, Michael L. Platt, Noah Snyder‐Mackler
Abstract
= 108) the hurricane. Hurricane Maria was significantly associated with differential expression of 4% of immune-cell-expressed genes, and these effects were correlated with age-associated alterations in gene expression. We further found that individuals exposed to the hurricane had a gene expression profile that was, on average, 1.96 y older than individuals that were not-roughly equivalent to an increase in 7 to 8 y of a human life. Living through an intense hurricane and its aftermath was associated with expression of key immune genes, dysregulated proteostasis networks, and greater expression of inflammatory immune cell-specific marker genes. Together, our findings illuminate potential mechanisms through which the adversity unleashed by extreme weather and potentially other natural disasters might become biologically embedded, accelerate age-related molecular immune phenotypes, and ultimately contribute to earlier onset of disease and death.