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Nonhuman Primates: A Leading
Translational Model of Human Immune Senescence

Ilhem Messaoudi, PhD
Assistant Scientist, Division of Pathobiology and Immunology Oregon National Primate Research Center

Date/Time:	Friday, November 13, 2009; 5:30 pm (dinner included)
New Location:	Doubletree Guest Suites, 320 North 44th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Cost:	No cost to attend

Abstract: : This presentation will explore the potential of old world primates to serve as a translational model for human aging research and more specifically immune senescence. Few animal models provide opportunities to evaluate diverse endpoints associated with aging. The advantages of old world monkeys include a larger size that allows more assessments; comorbidity patterns that closely mirror those seen in humans including spontaneous development of diabetes, hypertension, pancreatic and neurologic amyloid desposition atherosclerosis; characteristics and functional sequelae of disease that replicate those seen in humans; and a reproductive system that models sex differences in disease development or expression. This presentation will be divided into three parts. I will first review the hallmarks of immune senescence in rhesus macaques and compare them to the immune risk profile that has been described in older humans. I will then discuss the efficacy of caloric restriction as an immuno-restorative approach investigated in aged rhesus macaques. I will end by discussing the impact of menopause on immune function.

Objectives

• Characterization of immune senescence in aged rhesus macaques
• Can caloric restriction delay immune senescence?
• The impact of menopause on immune function

Biography: Dr. Ilhem Messaoudi is the Assistant Scientist in the Division of Pathobiology and Immunology at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Previously, she was a Research Assistant Professor at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute at the Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Messaoudi is a recipient of the 2009 Brookdale Leadership in Aging Fellowship. In 2008, she was awarded the Nathan Shock New Investigator Award from the Gerontological Society of America. Her work has been published in numerous scientific journals, including Aging Cell, Journal of Immunology, Virology, and Human Vaccines.

Dr. Messaoudi received a BS in Biochemistry from Lafayette College in Easton, PA. She received his PhD in Immunology from Cornell University.

To RSVP or for additional information, please contact Stephanie Tusalem at (602) 778-7492 or via email at stephanie.tusalem@kronosinstitute.org.

Special Note: If your plans change after you RSVP please cancel at the above contact as well.

"This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and designates this educational activity for 1 hour in Category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity."

“The University of Arizona College of Medicine at the Arizona Health Sciences Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA/PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.”

CME Credit is available through University of Arizona, College of Medicine to attendees Sponsored by the University of Arizona College of Medicine at the Arizona Health Sciences Center