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Related Concept Videos

Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues01:18

Lymphoid Cells and Tissues

Lymphoid cells and tissues are integral to the immune system, which is crucial in maintaining our body's defense against harmful pathogens. They form the building blocks of lymphoid organs, which include the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes.
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
Primary Lymphoid Organs01:16

Primary Lymphoid Organs

Primary lymphoid organs are pivotal in the formation, development, and maturation of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that serve as the backbone of our immune system. This crucial function underscores their fundamental role in maintaining our overall health and immunity. The two primary lymphoid organs of prime importance are the red bone marrow and the thymus.
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Secondary Lymphoid Organs01:15

Secondary Lymphoid Organs

Secondary organs, including lymph nodes, the spleen, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), work harmoniously to protect us from disease and infection.
The spleen is a vital organ in the lymphatic system, nestled in the upper left side of the abdomen. It is composed of two primary regions: the red pulp and the white pulp, each having distinct functions. The red pulp performs a significant role in blood filtration. It efficiently purges the blood of old or damaged red blood cells and...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...

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Quantitative Imaging of Lineage-specific Toll-like Receptor-mediated Signaling in Monocytes and Dendritic Cells from Small Samples of Human Blood
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Quantitative Imaging of Lineage-specific Toll-like Receptor-mediated Signaling in Monocytes and Dendritic Cells from Small Samples of Human Blood

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Apoptosis in primary lymphoid organs with aging.

Rosa M Sainz1, Juan C Mayo, R J Reiter

  • 1Departamento de Morfologia y Biologia Celular, Instituto Universitario de Oncologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, C/Julian Claveria s/n. 33006 Oviedo, Spain. rmsainz@correo.uniovi.es

Microscopy Research and Technique
|November 25, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Aging impairs the immune system, increasing infection risk. This article details age-related immune cell loss in primary lymphoid organs and explores hormonal agents like melatonin that may counteract these changes.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Aging leads to immunosenescence, characterized by reduced naive T cells and immature B cells.
  • Primary lymphoid organs, the thymus and bone marrow, decrease in cellularity with age.
  • Apoptosis plays a significant role in age-associated immune cell loss.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize age-related changes in primary lymphoid organs.
  • To describe the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in immune aging.
  • To explain the role of hormonal agents in mitigating age-related apoptosis in the thymus and bone marrow.

Main Methods:

  • Review of age-associated changes in primary lymphoid organs.
  • Analysis of the role of apoptosis in immune system aging.
  • Discussion of hormonal and non-hormonal agents affecting apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Significant loss of cellularity in the thymus and bone marrow with age.
  • Apoptosis is a key mechanism contributing to immune cell depletion.
  • Glucocorticoids act as immunodepressors, while melatonin shows immunostimulatory effects.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding age-related immune decline is crucial for addressing health issues in the elderly.
  • Targeting apoptosis pathways and hormonal modulation may offer strategies to combat immunosenescence.
  • Melatonin emerges as a potential immunostimulatory agent to counteract age-related immune dysfunction.