Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

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...

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

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...

Aging

Aging

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Immunodeficiency Diseases

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...

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

COVID-19-sensitive tumour response: 2-year assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 humoral response in cancer patients in oncology hospital in Poland.

Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII·2024

Same author

Predictors of the severity of the course of COVID-19: demographic factors, clinical signs and laboratory markers.

Journal of medical microbiology·2024

Same author

Analysis of prognostic factors in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

PloS one·2024

Same author

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) induced alterations in gene expression and cytokine secretion in clear cell renal carcinoma cells.

Medycyna pracy·2024

Same author

Immune response variation in mild and severe COVID-19 patients.

Qatar medical journal·2024

Same author

The Impact of Pathogen Reduction on Total IgG and IgG Subclass Profiles of Convalescent Plasma.

Transfusion medicine and hemotherapy : offizielles Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Transfusionsmedizin und Immunhamatologie·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 16, 2012

[Aging of the immune system].

Wanda Stankiewicz¹, Anna Stasiak-Barmuta

¹Wojskowy Instytut Higieny i Epidemiologii w Warszawie, Zakład Ochrony Mikrofalowej. wanda.stankiewicz@gmail.com

Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski : Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego

|June 17, 2011

Summary

The immune system theory of aging suggests immune decline drives aging. As immune cells decrease and lose function with age, health and longevity are negatively impacted.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Gerontology

Context:

The aging process is complex, involving multiple physiological changes.
The immune system plays a critical role in maintaining health and combating disease.

Purpose:

To review the mechanisms and consequences of age-associated immune alterations.
To explore the immune system theory of aging.

Summary:

Aging is characterized by a decline in immune system function.
Reduced numbers and impaired functionality of immune cells contribute to aging.
Evidence suggests an inverse relationship between immune status and longevity.

Impact:

Understanding age-related immune changes is crucial for addressing health challenges in older adults.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Characterization of the Immune Cells from Micro-dissected Mouse Choroid Plexuses

Isolation and Characterization of the Immune Cells from Micro-dissected Mouse Choroid Plexuses

Published on: February 3, 2022

Assessing the Age-Specific Phagocytic Ability of Adult Drosophila melanogaster Hemocytes using an In Vivo Phagocytosis Assay

Assessing the Age-Specific Phagocytic Ability of Adult Drosophila melanogaster Hemocytes using an In Vivo Phagocytosis Assay

Published on: June 11, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 16, 2012

Isolation and Characterization of the Immune Cells from Micro-dissected Mouse Choroid Plexuses

Isolation and Characterization of the Immune Cells from Micro-dissected Mouse Choroid Plexuses

Published on: February 3, 2022

Assessing the Age-Specific Phagocytic Ability of Adult Drosophila melanogaster Hemocytes using an In Vivo Phagocytosis Assay

Assessing the Age-Specific Phagocytic Ability of Adult Drosophila melanogaster Hemocytes using an In Vivo Phagocytosis Assay

Published on: June 11, 2020

This review highlights the clinical relevance of immune system decline in aging.