Advancing age and immune cell dysfunction: is it reversible or not?

Abstract

Background: Decline in immune function with advancing age is a hallmark of aging. As a result, infectious diseases cause more morbidity and mortality to the elderly. These age-related changes significantly alter the functionality of both innate and adaptive immune components. Objectives: Although age-associated dysfunction of the immune system is well reported, not much is known about the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that progressively bring about functional changes in immune cell types. Methods: This review focuses on our current understanding of age-associated changes in innate and adaptive immune cell types and how this knowledge could be used to improve the immune competence of elderly individuals. Results/conclusion: Therapeutic approaches to rejuvenate the exhausted immune system in the elderly need more attention.

Keywords::

• adaptive
• aging
• B cell
• innate
• T cell

Acknowledgements

The author apologizes to those researchers whose work has not been cited in this review owing to space restrictions. The author is grateful to John Reddan, Brandon Twardy and Pratima K Suvas for helpful discussions. Preparation of this article was supported by research funds from Oakland University.