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The Immune System and Its Dysregulation with Aging
Ludmila Müller1, Svetlana Di Benedetto2,3, Graham Pawelec3,4
1Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany. lmueller@mpib-berlin.mpg.de.
Sub-Cellular Biochemistry
|March 20, 2019
Summary
Aging significantly impacts the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections and age-related diseases. This review details immune cell changes and their link to inflammation and neuroinflammation in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Aging affects all physiological systems, including the immune system.
- Age-associated changes increase susceptibility to infections and chronic diseases.
- The immune system's function is influenced by other aging physiological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the multidimensional effects of aging on the immune system.
- To examine age-related changes in innate and adaptive immunity components.
- To review the contribution of aging to inflammation and neuroinflammation.
Main Methods:
- Review of age-related changes in immune cells and molecules.
- Analysis of impaired immune cell communication.
- Discussion of hematopoiesis dysregulation and thymic involution.
Main Results:
- Age-related changes impair immune cell function and communication.
- Dysregulated hematopoiesis and thymic involution affect T-cell populations.
- These changes contribute to inflammaging and potentially neuroinflammation.
Conclusions:
- Aging profoundly alters immune system components and function.
- Immune dysregulation in aging is linked to increased inflammation.
- Evidence suggests a role for immune changes in age-associated neurodegenerative processes.
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