Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
5-1-2025
Disciplines
Biology
Advisor
Ashley Fink
Abstract
Calorie restriction (CR) - a reduction in caloric intake without malnutrition - has been widely studied for its impact on lifespan and the onset of age-related diseases. Emerging research indicates that CR also influences immune function, though its effects can vary depending on the degree of restriction, duration, and individual characteristics. This study examined how CR effects vaccine-specific antibody responses following influenza vaccination. Male and female mice were maintained on either a control diet or a calorie-restricted diet and vaccinated with an inactivated influenza virus vaccine. Antibody titers were measured 28 days post-vaccination to evaluate the magnitude of the humoral immune response. Sex-specific differences in antibody titers were also evaluated as biological sex is known to modulate immune function. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of how nutritional status and sex intersect to shape immune responsiveness. Given the relevance of both deliberate CR as a health intervention and involuntary undernutrition in many populations, these findings have broad implications for public health, vaccine responsiveness, and immune system aging
Recommended Citation
Kobluk, Grayson, "The Effect of Calorie Restriction on Humoral Responses towards the Influenza Vaccine" (2025). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 285.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/285
