The immunogenetics of immune senescence.
Immune senescence is characterized by a dysregulation of the immune system. With respect to humoral immunity, aging is associated with an increased level of many autoantibodies and a decreased antibody response to most foreign antigens. This observation reflects a decreased capacity to activate antibody production by CD5-negative B cells despite a normal or increased capacity to generate antibodies produced by the CD5-positive B cells. A similar dysregulation of cell-mediated immunity is manifested by an altered balance in cytokine production by T cells from old as compared to young subjects. Thus, the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor by T cells from old subjects is decreased although the production of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6 is undiminished or actually increased.
Weksler
M E
ME
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York, N.Y. 10021.
Schwab
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000235:genetics*; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000235:genetics*; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011946:Receptors, Antigen / Q000235:genetics
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D011946:Receptors, Antigen