Age, immunity and the skin.
With advancing age there is a decrease in T-lymphocyte functions leading to defective cell-mediated immune responses and decreased levels of immunoglobulin G, which is produced by B cells under the influence of certain T lymphocytes. Decreased resistance to viruses as a result of the depression of T-cell function may lead to some clinical viral infections which trigger autoimmune diseases. The diminished T cell's immune response and its inability to eliminate ultraviolet-light-damaged epidermal cells may be in part responsible for the increased incidence of skin malignancies in elderly patients.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology