Paradoxical changes in innate immunity in aging: recent progress and new directions
Ruth R Montgomery1, Albert C Shaw2
1Sections of *Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA ruth.montgomery@yale.edu.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|July 19, 2015
Summary
Aging immune system decline (immunosenescence) impairs responses to infections and vaccines. This review explores complex immune changes in aging, highlighting new research directions for human populations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Immunosenescence involves immune system decline with age, characterized by dysregulated responses.
- This decline increases susceptibility to infections and reduces vaccine efficacy.
- Changes occur in both adaptive (B and T cells) and innate immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding immunosenescence.
- To highlight novel research directions in the aging immune system.
- To embrace the complexity of aging in human populations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent progress in immunosenescence research.
- Analysis of adaptive and innate immune system alterations in aging.
- Identification of future research avenues.
Main Results:
- Aging alters immune cell populations, favoring experienced cells over naive ones.
- Innate immunity shows dampened responses alongside paradoxical increases in signaling and cytokines.
- Complex, context-dependent changes across cell types and tissues characterize aging immunity.
Conclusions:
- Immunosenescence presents a complex picture of immune dysregulation with age.
- Further research is needed to embrace this complexity for new discoveries.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for improving health in aging populations.
Keywords:
Toll-like receptordendritic cellimmunosenescencepolymorphonuclear leukocytesystems immunologyMore Related Videos
09:55Isolation and Characterization of the Immune Cells from Micro-dissected Mouse Choroid Plexuses
Published on: February 3, 2022
8.7K
12:21A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness
Published on: September 28, 2022
3.4K
Related Concept Videos
01:26Aging
1.0K
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...
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...
1.0K
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
4.1K
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...
4.1K
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
325
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
325
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
14.6K
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...
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...
14.6K
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
346
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are...
346
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
333
Geriatric patients show significant variation in how their bodies process medications, which can change how effective and safe treatments are. The liver is the primary organ where drug metabolism occurs, involving two main types of chemical reactions: phase I and II. Phase I metabolism is driven by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which includes key types such as CYP3A, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. Research indicates that while aging doesn't notably alter the levels or activity of these enzymes, it...
333