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Related Concept Videos

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Immunological Memory01:23

Immunological Memory

Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Vaccines01:21

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...

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Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
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Persistent viral infections and immune aging.

Stefan Brunner1, Dietmar Herndler-Brandstetter, Birgit Weinberger

  • 1Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Rennweg 10, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

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Summary

Aging immune systems (immunosenescence) show reduced T cell diversity due to persistent viral infections like Cytomegalovirus (CMV). This impacts vaccine efficacy and increases infection risk in older adults.

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Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
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In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
09:26

In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function

Published on: October 15, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gerontology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Immunosenescence describes immune system aging, leading to deficiencies in the elderly.
  • Thymus involution significantly reduces naive T cell output after age 50.
  • Persistent viral infections, notably Cytomegalovirus (CMV), exacerbate immune decline.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how persistent viral infections, especially CMV, influence immune system aging.
  • To explore potential strategies for preventing age-related immune dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on immunosenescence and viral infections.
  • Analysis of the impact of T cell pool dynamics on immune function.
  • Examination of CMV's role in T cell exhaustion and diversity loss.

Main Results:

  • Aging diminishes T cell diversity, partly due to thymus involution.
  • CMV infection drives monoclonal expansion and exhaustion of T cell clones.
  • Reduced T cell diversity leads to increased infections and poorer vaccine responses in the elderly.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent viral infections accelerate immunosenescence and T cell pool decline.
  • Strategies to mitigate viral load or T cell exhaustion may preserve immune function in aging.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for improving elderly health and immunity.