Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025

A Suction Blister Protocol to Study Human T-cell Recall Responses In Vivo
Published on: August 11, 2018
Ageing of T-dependent B cell responses
Fanny Martinez1, Julien Novarino1, José Enrique Mejía1
1Infinity, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Toulouse, Inserm U1291, CNRS U5051, Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
The human immune system is in continuous interaction with environmental factors (pathogens, exercise, stress, pollutants, diet, vaccines, and therapeutics) that condition its efficiency by promoting or moderating multiple immune mechanisms. While the deleterious impact of external factors can be avoided or limited, the immune system itself grows weaker with age. Immune cells persist in the elderly, and the observed decline of cellular immunity is related to cellular senescence. Immunosenescence, which affects both T and B cells, erodes lymphocyte-dependent responses to vaccines and pathogens. Germinal centers (GCs), the organized lymphoid structures where B cells engage in affinity maturation, are regulated by follicular helper (Tfh) and follicular regulatory (Tfr) T cells, the major T cell components of GCs. This review discusses how age-related changes affect Tfh and Tfr cells as key components of B cell immunity, and how they ultimately shape the response of the ageing immune system to vaccines and infectious challenges.
Related Concept Videos
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Immunological Memory
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...

